What is “ecumenism”? What do “interfaith” and “interreligious” mean?

The word ‘ecumenism’ refers to the ongoing discussion and interactions between Christians, whether they are Catholic, evangelical, Anglican, Lutheran Baptist, Methodist, Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and so on. We all share one faith and one religion: Christianity and so these discussions are not “interfaith” or “interreligious”.

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The terms ‘interfaith’ and ‘interreligious dialogue’ refer to discussions and interactions between people of different faiths and religions. That is, between Christians, Muslims, Jains, Hindus, Sikhs,Buddhists and so on. For Catholics, we have a special connection with the Jews (as Judaism and Christianity are very linked)and so in some ways Catholic-Jewish discussions are officially “inter-faith” but are understood as almost “ecumenical”.