The first “ecumenical cathedral” has been established in Lausanne. Open to all Christians, it is intended to be a sign and place of mutual acceptance. The Reformed Evangelic Church of the canton of Vaud has in fact decided to open its Cathedral in Lausanne to the various Christian Churches present in the canton. The project launched in December 2002 and presented to the press as an “historic act” has since then been under scrutiny by the Catholic Church due to the difficulties linked especially to the current impossibility of sharing eucharistic hospitality. The project has, however, achieved its concrete realization in recent days with the organization of a programme of daily ecumenical prayers and monthly ecumenical celebrations. The programme provides each day of the week an ecumenical prayer open to everyone at 7 and at 12 midday. Each first Sunday in the month, one particular Church or community organises a celebration of the Word in the evening. The Reformed Church has also decided to welcome the presence of the Catholic Church in the cathedral, in particular circumstances, for eucharistic celebrations. The first of these will be held on the evening of 13 November, on the occasion of the Day of Peoples.
