Unitatis Redintegratio
The Second Vatican Council’s decree on ecumenism, promulgated on 21 November 1964. It names the restoration of unity among all Christians as one of the council’s chief concerns and calls Catholics to take part in the ecumenical movement.
The decree has three chapters: Catholic principles of ecumenism, its practice, and the churches and communities separated from Rome, first those of the East and then those of the West. Article 3 says that people on both sides were to blame for the divisions, that those born into the separated communities cannot be charged with the sin of separation, and that all who are baptized and believe in Christ are in a real though imperfect communion with the Catholic Church. Article 4 urges all Catholics to take an active part in the work of unity.
See the Second Vatican Council and Rome and Constantinople Lift the Anathemas of 1054.
Cited in
- 1962 to 1965, firm date