Paul Murray is Professor of Systematic Theology in the Department of Theology at the University of Durham, and also Director of the Centre for Catholic Studies.
The Ecumenical Vision of Vatican II was the theme of the study day given by Professor Murray at Brentwood Cathedral Hall on 13th October 2012. The day explored the vision of the Second Vatican Council for ecumenism, progress made and difficulties encountered. Ecumenism is part of our ‘Christian DNA’. It is a call to growth, and the Catholic Church too needs to grow. There are real elements in other churches from which the Catholic Church can learn. Pope John Paul II spoke of an ‘ecumenism of conversion’, as when he asked other churches to help review the papacy. Receptive ecumenism has emerged strongly in recent years. Progress is possible if we prioritise what we should receive from others, not what they should receive from us. It is necessary that we ‘reconceive the ecumenical terrain’. We need time for the ecumenical journey to mature and we need continuing conversion and healing.