1: ECUMENISM CORE VALUE: THE PERPETUALITE The word oikoumenẽ describes the place

FAMILY of God's reconciling mission (Matthew 24:14).

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached
Biblical Foundation throughout the world as a witness to all nations, and
Ephesians 4:4-6 then the end will come."
one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the
one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one The symbol for ecumenism shows the Cross of Christ
baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and above the boat - the Church - sailing together on the
through all and in all." (rough) waters of life..

This passage emphasizes the unity of believers under

one God, serving as a foundation for ecumenism and
unity in service. For Perpetualites, it highlights the
importance of working together with different
Christian communities in outreach efforts, united by
shared faith and purpose. This spirit of ecumenism
fosters a collaborative approach, allowing
The call for unity is a must in our times not only to
Perpetualites to transcend denominational differences
prevent division among Christian Churches, but also
to serve others and build a compassionate,
religious wars and discrimination among Us.
faith-driven community reflective of Gods universal
love.
Msgr. Romulo Rañada Priest Director. Blocosan
Commission on formation Diocese of Novaliches
Jesus in the New Testament calls for unity among us
“Ecumenism is not just for the purpose of
because He loves us and not only to fulfill His mission
magkasama-sama tayo for prayer meetings. Malawak
but also to remind us of the benefits and joy of
at maraming pamamaraan. Kaya iyon sana ang ating
attaining unity.
matutunan kahit lamang sa panahon ng Ito,"

Ecumenism refers to the principle or aim of

Ecumenism does not end with the dialogue itself, but
promoting unity among the world's Christian
it forms positive relationships among the members of
Churches. The term "ecumenism" is used by Catholics
different Christian denominations.
to describe all the efforts made by the Church and her
adherents to advance Christian unity and mutual
Reminders for an urgent call for unity among us
understanding.
Christians
1. There is one body and one Spirit, one faith, one
Ecumenism is built on two things: the Church's
baptism.
right connection with non-Catholic Christian groups
2. Many were baptized in Christ, we are all one in
that share some of these benefits, including baptism,
Christ.
and the Church's unity and universality, which has all
3. All belong to Christ.
the gifts provided by God for salvation.

Ecumenism is about renewal within and of the Church.

Ecumenism comes from the Greek word
Ecumenism is about praying, working, studying,
oikoumene which means "the whole inhabited earth”.
witnessing. celebrating, and dreaming together.
It is also derived from other Greek words:
Oikos = house or dwelling. Oikeo = live or dwell
The Various Forms of Local Ecumenism 11. Sodepax Groups. Sodepax, is an international
1. Sharing in prayer and worship seeking the gifts agency between the Catholic Church and the World
of the Holy Spirit (change of heart and holiness of life Council of Churches for society, development, and
w/ public and private prayer) the soul of the peace. It is also promoting education on the issues of
ecumenical movement. justice and peace.

2. Common Bible work. Bible translations were in 12. Bilateral Dialoques. There is a mutual trust and
collaboration with Inter-confessional Cooperation and understanding especially in the discussion of doctrinal
United Bible Societies and the Secretariat for points
Promoting Christian Unit.
13. Meetings of Heads of Communion. The
3. Joint Pastoral Care. The organization does not meeting of the heads had exchange of information
compete with parish-based pastoral work. about the activities and concerns, share insights,
explore possible collaboration, and even set on foot
4. Shared Premises. Sharing in constructing new appropriate action.
churches/buildings with other Christian
denominations (in some exceptions). 14. Joint Working Group. There must be a
connection with other working groups. It is not in
5. Collaboration in Education by sharing certain itself a decision-making body, but an organ for the
buildings. joint exploration of possible fields of cooperation,
study, and action.
6. Joint Use of Communication Media. Concern for
better quality of religious programs on radio and 15. Councils of Churches and Christian Councils.
television; joint planning and use of common facilities There must be councils in order to have a working
body for smooth working groups and relationships
7. Cooperation in the Health Field. joint secretariats among its members. They have to promote the
for the coordination of all church-related medical and collaboration of various churches for a greater
health programs measure of unity.

9. Relief of Human Need. Christians are aware of 2: THE MAGISTERIUM CORE VALUE: FILIPINO
their urgent responsibility to minister to the CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
increasing number of people who become casualties
of society to provide services for people with pressing Biblical Foundation
personal problems, whether material, moral or 1Corinthians 1:10
psychological. "l urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that
10. Social Problem. There is a serious effort for there be no divisions among you, but that you be
integral human development: promote true united in the same mind and the same purpose."
understanding of human rights, question things that
frustrate them, and promote initiatives that which will
secure them.
This Bible verse highlights the value of unity within bishops, bishops being elected members of the
the Christian community. This call for harmony aligns clergy who are entrusted with a position of authority.
with the role of the Magisterium, the teaching
authority of the Church, in guiding Catholics to uphold Bishops
shared beliefs and moral teachings. For A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is
Perpetualites, this passage reinforces the entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in
importance of following Church teachings in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are
community outreach, ensuring their actions reflect normally responsible for the governance of dioceses.
Catholic values of love, justice, and compassion. By The role or office of bishop is called episcopacy.
grounding outreach in unity and faithfulness to the
Magisterium, Perpetualites exemplify a cohesive, In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a
values-driven approach, fostering solidarity and a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as
collective witness to the transformative power of the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who
faith. either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province
in addition to their own archdiocese, or are otherwise
The big 3 - Scripture, tradition, and the magisterium granted a titular archbishopric.

AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH Priest

The Christian Church cannot continue its mission A priest is a baptized man who has received the
without the assistance of the living teaching office Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through this sacrament, a
which is the Magisterium. This is the teaching man enters into the ministerial priesthood which
authority of the Church in continuing Christ's mission gives him a sacred power to serve. A priest is 'a means
to humanity. This office is the servant of God. by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads His
Church"; therefore it is the mission of the Catholic
Magisterium comes from the Latin word magister priest "to feed the Church by the word and grace of
which means "the office of master." By definition, this God". A priest offers the ministry of Jesus Christ to us
is the "teaching authority of the Roman Catholic today. When a priest offers the holy sacrifice of the
Church", especially as exercised by bishops or the Mass, it is Christ who offers the sacrifice. When he
Pope.” This is also interpreted as "the authority of the absolves sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it is
Church to teach dogmaticaly." The Magisterium is the Christ who forgives.
teaching office of the Church, a protection by the Holy
Spirit which gives the Church the power to transmit Deacons
Christ's Gospel faithfully and correctly. The Apostles are members of the clergy along with priests and
and their successors comprise it. bishops. The deacon's ministry has three
dimensions: liturgy, word and service. At the liturgy,
The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church he assists the bishop and priests. At the Mass, the
Cardinals deacon proclaims the Gospel, may be invited to
Senior members; supports the pope preach the homily, and assists at the altar.

Pope Religious Congregation

The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church Pope derives Also called a ‘religious community’, is an institute of
from the Greek word pappas meaning father and put consecrated life. The autonomous organization gathers
simply is the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, members around a mission or a unifying project with a
and head of state representing the Holy See. In early spiritual and pastoral vocation presented by their
Christianity the title of Pope was applied to all founder.
Laity Two sources of Sacred Deposit of Faith are
are the ordinary members of the Catholic Church who Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture
are neither clergy nor recipients of Holy Orders or Sacred Tradition, Scripture, and the Magisterium work
vowed to life in a religious order or congregation. together and none can stand alone.
Their mission, according to the Second Vatican
Council, is to "sanctify the world". The Deposit of Faith is the truth of God's Revelation as
expressed in Sacred Scripture, which is the inspired
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and written Word of God, and Sacred Tradition, which
Sensus Fidelium is "the supernatural appreciation of is the Word of God as taught and transmitted through
faith on the part of the whole people, when, from the the teaching authority of the Church.
bishops to the last of the faithful, they manifest a
universal consent in matters of faith and morals." What is the relationship between Tradition and
Sacred Scripture?
The sense of the faithful means that the whole Tradition and Sacred Scripture are bound closely
body of the faithful who have an anointing that comes together and communicate one with the other. Each of
from the holy one cannot err in matters of belief. The them makes present and fruitful in the Church the
Magisterium guides the People of God in knowing the mystery of Christ. They flow out of the same divine
Faith. well-spring and together make up one sacred Deposit
of Faith from which the Church derives her certainty
The Magisterium of the Church about revelation.
This is the office of the Church. It is written that the
Magisterium has the task of giving an authentic To whom is the Deposit of Faith entrusted?
interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its The Apostles entrusted the deposit of faith to the
written form or the form of Tradition, has been whole of the Church. Thanks to its supernatural sense
entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church of faith the people of God as a whole, assisted by the
alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the Holy Spirit and guided by the Magisterium of the
name of Jesus Christ. The response of the faithful to a Church, never ceases to welcome, to penetrate more
teaching of the Magisterium should be faithful deeply and to live more fully from the gift of divine
obedience. The Magisterium explains and interprets revelation.
theology, does not create it. Two places where
teachings of the Magisterium can be found are in the To whom is given the task of authentically
Creeds and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. interpreting the Deposit of Faith?
The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the
The Role of Magisterium deposit of faith has been entrusted to the living
1. Devotedly Listens to the Word of God teaching office of the Church alone, that is, to the
- the bishop before could be teacher, they must be successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome, and to the
hearer of the Word of God bishops in communion with him. To this Magisterium,
2. Conscientiously Guards the Word of God which in the service of the Word of God enjoys the

- to safeguard the priceless treasure of the Word of certain charism of truth, belongs also the task of

God defining dogmas which are formulations of the truths

- it means: losing nothing of it; deleting nothing of it; contained in divine Revelation. This authority of the

adding nothing of it Magisterium also extends to those truths necessarily

- protect against deviation, innovation, and heresy connected with Revelation.

3. Faithfully Explains the Word of God

- it must propose or explain to the people what is
obscure to them