Defeating the "enemies of ecumenism": "distrust, apathy, impatience". This is the goal of the ecumenical pilgrimage that began in these days in Rome and will lead the Churches of Europe to the third Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu in 2007. It was outlined this morning by the archbishop of Westminster, card. Cormac Murphy O’Connor, as he took the floor at the session on the subjects and goals of the Sibiu Assembly. "It seems to me said the archbishop that the goals and aims of our Assembly are to reduce and eradicate mutual distrust; to share what we can do in our countries, in our settings; to promote and develop our ecumenical efforts and finally to promote an atmosphere of hope and perseverance for our ecumenical pilgrimage in Europe". So, the first goal is "overcoming mistrust" which said O’Connor decreases only "when we get to know each other better, respect each other and pray together". Then, there is "one more enemy that must be defeated" for ecumenism, and this is "apathy". "Ecumenism highlighted the archbishop does not necessarily concern the big happenings, but the small facts, at home, at church, in the cities and in the villages". Another "enemy" is "impatience": "right now, there is some dejection in Europe, because some of the expectations of the ecumenical movements, which were apparent as many as 50 years ago, have not been fulfilled". That’s why the goal of the ecumenical Assembly is to "foster hope and enthusiasm for the ecumenical journey".
