Pastorale Bekehrung als Herausforderung und Chance für die Ökumene im 21. Jahrhundert
Pastoral Conversion as a Challenge and Opportunity for Ecumenism in the Twenty-First Century

Summary/Abstract: The divisions among Christians are „a scandal to the world” and detrimental to the preaching of the Gospel, because of the impression „as if Christ himself were divided”. Hence the lack of unity is the biggest obstacle to mission in the world. In this perspective, the pastoral conversion is presented as an opportunity for ecumenism. It is all about repentance toward re-seek unity and toward the common goal of ecumenism, that is visible unity of the Church as the Body of Christ. Another aspect of the conversion relates to the great tradition of Christianity. An important issue here is the question of the attitude of the Reformation to the whole tradition of the Church. Surely a monopoly on reform of the Church can not be attributed only to the Reformation. Great reformers of the Church were also St. Dominic and St. Francis. Because in the original way the conversion is accomplished in baptism, Christian ecumenism should be at its core, a „baptismal ecumenism”. Finally, the ecumenical movement can rely on joining the prayer of Jesus „that they may all be one” (Jn 17,21).

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