Forty years ago, on 21 November 1964, Vatican Council II promulgated the decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis redintegratio, which profoundly changed the situation of the Catholic Church and of other Churches, just as it changed the relationship between them. “Where do we stand today?” This question was put by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in a message he sent to a meeting of diocesan delegates for ecumenism and dialogue, held in Bari, Italy. The cardinal makes a call for realism. “The ecumenical situation”, he says, “has changed a lot in the course of the last 40 years. The original enthusiasm has given way to disillusionment and frustration”. There are “difficult questions” still to be resolved, above all questions concerning ecclesiology. “New questions have arisen, especially ethical questions” such as homosexuality and euthanasia. “Relations with Orthodox Churches have become more difficult following political changes in Eastern Europe”. Nonetheless, Cardinal Kasper adds, “there is no reason to be feel frustrated, to throw up one’s hands resignedly and give in. We must move forwards with a hope that becomes concrete through perseverance”.
