Ecumenism is not a new subject in Christianity, and the idea of a universal (catholic) church dates back to the times of the New Testament. Jesus Christ refered constantly to the unity His church should have:"There shall be one flock and one sheperd (John 10:16), while St. Paul often wrote about a unified and universal community:

I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement. (1 Corinthians 1: 10)
The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the same loaf. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humanity and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

In addition, Christ stressed this unity particularly on the night He died, when He prayed several times that His followers would be one, so that men would believe His teachings.

"I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me." (John 17:20-23)

And so, we see that at the foundation of all Christianity lies the building blocks of cooperation, love and peace between all the followers of Christ. It is extremely important that this cooperation and love be fostered amongst Christians, for to deny this relationship between the children of God is to deny all that Christ taught, and all that we, as Christians, believe in and preach about.

Important Articles/Documents/Links

Why Ecumenism? - Do you want a reason other than "God said so."?
Prayer for Unity - Ecumenical Prayer for the unity of Christianity.

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Important Articles/Documents/Links

Why Ecumenism? - Do you want a reason other than "God said so."? Prayer for Unity - Ecumenical Prayer for the unity of Christianity.

Why Ecumenism? - Do you want a reason other than "God said so."?
Prayer for Unity - Ecumenical Prayer for the unity of Christianity.