vatican II: a call to unity and renewal

At the opening of the Vatican II Council, Pope John XXIII identified two of its goals as internal renewal and promotion of the unity of Christians. These two purposes are closely linked, as ecumenical commitment is a consequence of the church’s renewal, while growth in Christian unity contributes to a renewed understanding of the Apostolic tradition. Following the Council, the Catholic church actively entered the ecumenical movement and gave new impetus to dialogue as a key instrument for promoting both reconciliation and renewal.

Sister Donna Geernaert holds a PhD in Theology from St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. A member of the Sisters of Charity for over 40 years, she has served as president of the Canadian Religious Conference and as chair of the Canadian Council of Churches’ Faith and Witness Commission. She has led a number of ecumenical projects in collaboration with Canadian and international Christian, Jewish and Muslim organizations.