Catholic & Ecumenical: History and Hope

Ecumenical consciousness has not always been part of the Catholic experience. Father Bliss traces how the concern for ecumenism came about – from uneasy tension to confidence in the true grace of catholicity. From the emergence of the medieval Papacy to Trent and the open spirit of Vatican II, the history of the Church continues to shape contemporary dialogue. Catholic and Ecumenical is a solid work that also gives an up-to-date and accurate view of Catholic participation in ecumenical dialogue among the churches and with people from other faith traditions.

Frederick Bliss, a member of the Society of Mary (Marists), was ordained in 1961 and holds a doctorate in Theology from the University of St. Thomas in Rome (Angelicum) where, since 1992, he has been a professor, specializing in ecumenical theology. Father Bliss has published several articles and another major work: Understanding Reception: A Backdrop to Its Ecumenical Use.