- The Early Stages: Pre-1910
- Laying the Foundations: 1910–1948
- Pivotal Years: 1948–1965
- Intense Activity: 1965–1990
- Consolidation and Challenge: 1990—Present
- Orthodox
- Anglican
- Methodist
- Lutheran
- Reformed
- Baptist
- Christology
- Church
- Baptism
- Eucharist
- Ministry
- Liturgy
- Justification
- Morals
- Ecology
- Faith and Order
- World Council of Churches
- Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
- Bilateral Dialogues
- United and Uniting Churches
- Regional and National Councils of Churches
- Covenants
- Interchurch Families
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Global Christian Forum
- Britain and Ireland
- United States of America
- Asia
- Latin America
- The Middle East
- The Unity We Seek
- In Search of a Way
- Method in Ecumenism
- Kenotic Ecumenism
Abstract and Keywords
The chapter surveys the statements and initiatives on ecology developed within and issued by the World Council of Churches, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and the Roman Catholic Church. It finds care for creation to be a concern to which churches have responded both through individual initiatives and by ecumenical dialogue. It identifies 1989–1990 as a watershed when statements and initiatives began to develop ecological teachings centred on the creative activity of the Trinity, the responsibility of members of the church as stewards and priests of creation, and the centrality of prayer and liturgy—especially the Eucharist—in care for creation. Finally, it indicates avenues for further ecumenical dialogue and offers suggestions for action, focusing in particular on sacramentality and a sacramental view of the world, and highlighting the ecclesiological importance of contributions, initiatives, and statements from local churches.
Keywords: ecology, creation, Trinity, church, prayer, liturgy, Eucharist, sacramentality
Kevin W. Irwin is Research Professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology at The Catholic University of America, Washington DC, USA. He held the Walter J. Schmitz Chair of Liturgical Studies from 2000-2015 and served as the Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies from 2005-2011.
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- The Early Stages: Pre-1910
- Laying the Foundations: 1910–1948
- Pivotal Years: 1948–1965
- Intense Activity: 1965–1990
- Consolidation and Challenge: 1990—Present
- Orthodox
- Anglican
- Methodist
- Lutheran
- Reformed
- Baptist
- Christology
- Church
- Baptism
- Eucharist
- Ministry
- Liturgy
- Justification
- Morals
- Ecology
- Faith and Order
- World Council of Churches
- Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
- Bilateral Dialogues
- United and Uniting Churches
- Regional and National Councils of Churches
- Covenants
- Interchurch Families
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Global Christian Forum
- Britain and Ireland
- United States of America
- Asia
- Latin America
- The Middle East
- The Unity We Seek
- In Search of a Way
- Method in Ecumenism
- Kenotic Ecumenism