Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT
ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT. It was not until the 20th century that progressive Protestant churches initiated the ecumenical movement. Two world wars fostered ecumenism when soldiers of different faiths got to know and respect each other. The wars also made many churches realize they needed to put aside their disagreements to work for peace. Conservative Protestants and Catholics held back, seeing ecumenism as giving in to relativism. (1)
Many Catholics growing up in the 1950s considered Protestants as heretics outside the true church. In school and at home, Catholics heard stories of prejudice and discrimination from the white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP} establishment. The 1960 election proved that anti-Catholicism was still alive and flourishing. In polling, John Kennedy’s religion was singled out as an extremely important variable in the election. (2)
Ecumenism was still formally rejected until the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). The Vatican then became involved in dialogues with almost every religion of any significant size. (3)
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Source:
1. Reese, Thomas, The Ecumenical Movement is As Important Historically as the Reformation," The National Catholic Reporter, October 31, 2017, Online: https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/ecumenical-movement-important-historically-reformation
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.