Ecumenical/Interfaith Ministry

Under the direction of the Director of the Interfaith Commission, we help to educate the faithful in the ecumenical directives and theology of the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church has a rich relationship with other Christian Churches (ecumenical) and other religions (interfaith).  This posture began with the Second Vatican Council in 1965.  The Catholic Church professes its belief in Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior; but also realizes that faith is something a person must freely embrace and that many human beings have already embraced a faith in which they find meaning for their lives.  God has made all of us and is in dialogue with every human being to bring them to awareness of his Divine presence and invite them to share eternity.  Catholics are to witness to the message of the Gospel and invite others share in it, while as Catholics, they appreciate the spiritual heritage, rituals, and moral directives found in other religions. 

Interfaith & Ecumenical Activities

The following activities are regularly sponsored by the Interfaith Office of the Diocese of Cleveland and all our welcome to participate in them.  

Conference of Religions convenes twice a year with a dialogue on a topic decided by a committee from the religions. 

The Sam Miller Catholic-Jewish Colloquium is an annual lecture sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League, the Cleveland Jewish Federation, Diocese of Cleveland, St. Mary Seminary and Gradual School of Theology.  Alternately, a Catholic or a Jew is a keynoter and a respondent from other religion makes presentation on a topic of interest. 

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity lecturer at St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology is hosted near or in this special week from January 18-25 each year. The seminarians lead a prayer service at the end of the lecture for Christian unity.