Bishops join new U.S. ecumenical forum

Published: 2004-11-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Catholic bishops Nov.17 took a historic ecumenical step by joining the new national ecumenical forum, Christian Churches Together in the USA. It marks the first time that the U.S. Catholic Church is a partner church in such a national body, although Catholic churches in about 70 other countries belong to national councils of churches or similar bodies. The bishops approved the proposal to join CCT by a vote of 151-73, slightly more than a 2-to-1 margin. Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., chairman of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, presented the proposal to the bishops and urged its adoption, noting that the Holy See has also encouraged it. He called the new organization "a forum for participation" through which Christian churches can "pray together, grow in understanding together and witness together."

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