Five First-Year Goals
Goal 1
Ensure the spiritual and doctrinal formation of commission members
The Commission shall ensure that its members participate in a defined program of spiritual ecumenism and ecclesial
formation, including common prayer and guided study of the Church's authoritative ecumenical texts
(Unitatis Redintegratio, the Directory for Ecumenism, Ut Unum Sint, and relevant sections of the
Catechism), under the direction of the Ecumenical Officer.
Measure: approved formation outline; at least 3–4 formation sessions completed and documented.
Goal 2
Articulate formal alignment with diocesan priorities for evangelization and vocations
The Commission shall articulate and submit to diocesan leadership a concise statement describing how its consultative
and formative work supports the Bishop's priorities regarding evangelization and priestly vocations, in a manner
consistent with Catholic norms and without exercising independent pastoral authority.
Measure: alignment statement submitted and acknowledged by diocesan leadership.
Goal 3
Promote spiritual ecumenism ordered to evangelization and vocations
In accordance with the Directory for Ecumenism, the Commission shall promote and coordinate, with appropriate
permissions, a limited number of diocesan-safe prayer initiatives for Christian unity that explicitly intercede for
evangelization and vocations, observing Catholic discipline regarding common prayer.
Measure: 2–4 approved prayer initiatives carried out; participation recorded.
Goal 4
Establish consultative relationships with other Christian communities
The Commission shall initiate and maintain consultative contact with a modest number of non-Catholic Christian
communities within the diocese, for the purposes of mutual understanding, dialogue, and future discernment, without
presuming collaboration or common action beyond what is authorized.
Measure: diocesan contact register established; at least one documented encounter per community.
Goal 5
Advise diocesan authority regarding limited joint Christian witness
The Commission shall discern and recommend, through established diocesan channels, no more than one or two
opportunities for joint Christian witness that are pastorally appropriate, doctrinally sound, and consistent with
diocesan priorities, without implementing initiatives independently.
Measure: written recommendations submitted; no parallel structures or programs initiated.
Why These Five Goals?
The proposed first-year goals for the Ecumenical Commission are intentionally limited, formative, and consultative in
nature. They are designed to ensure that the Commission serves the Bishop's pastoral priorities, conforms fully to
Catholic norms for ecumenical engagement, and avoids the creation of parallel structures or independent initiatives.
1. They place spiritual and doctrinal formation before activity.
The first goal ensures that those entrusted with ecumenical responsibility are themselves formed in the Church's
teaching, spirituality, and discipline regarding Christian unity. This reflects the Directory for Ecumenism's
insistence that ecumenical initiatives be carefully discerned and carried out according to Catholic principles under
episcopal oversight.
By front-loading formation and prayer, the Commission safeguards against confusion, missteps, or well-intentioned but
premature action, and ensures that all subsequent work flows from fidelity to the Church and union with Christ.
2. They explicitly subordinate ecumenical work to diocesan priorities.
The second goal makes clear that ecumenical activity in the Diocese exists to support—not distract from—the Bishop's
stated priorities of evangelization and priestly vocations. This alignment ensures that ecumenism is understood not as
an end in itself, but as a mode of witness and service that strengthens the Church's evangelical mission.
It also clarifies that the Commission exercises no independent pastoral authority, but serves in a consultative and
supportive role.
3. They emphasize spiritual ecumenism as the Church's primary ecumenical task.
The third goal reflects the Church's consistent teaching that prayer, conversion of heart, and holiness are the
“soul of the ecumenical movement.”
By promoting limited, diocesan-approved prayer initiatives for Christian unity—explicitly ordered toward evangelization
and vocations—the Commission contributes to the spiritual renewal that mission efforts require. This approach is both
pastorally safe and ecclesially fruitful.
4. They prioritize relationships over programs.
The fourth goal focuses on establishing consultative relationships with other Christian communities rather than
launching activities or collaborations. This relational posture respects the reality of real but imperfect communion,
allows for mutual understanding, and creates conditions for future discernment without presumption.
It also aligns with the Directory's call to foster charity, dialogue, and friendliness, while remaining attentive to
local context and diocesan authority.
5. They preserve episcopal discernment in matters of joint witness.
The fifth goal ensures that any consideration of joint Christian witness remains advisory and recommendatory. By
discerning and proposing (rather than implementing) limited opportunities for common witness, the Commission supports
the Bishop and existing diocesan bodies without duplicating their work or creating parallel mandates.
This maintains proper ecclesial order while allowing genuine ecumenical fruit to emerge where appropriate.
Taken together, these five goals establish a prudent foundation for ecumenical engagement in the Diocese. They ensure
fidelity to Church teaching, clarity of purpose, and pastoral safety in the first year of the Commission's life, while
leaving room for future development under episcopal guidance as relationships mature and circumstances permit.