ecumenism

American  

[ek-yoo-muh-niz-uhm, ih-kyoo-, ee-kyoo-] / ˈɛk yʊ məˌnɪz əm, ɪˈkyu-, ˈi kyʊ- /

noun

1. ecumenical doctrines and practices, especially as manifested in the ecumenical movement.

---

ecumenism British  

/ ˈɛkjʊm-, ˌiːkjʊˈmɛnɪˌsɪzəm, ˌɛk-, ɪˈkjuːməˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the aim of unity among all Christian churches throughout the world

---

ecumenism Cultural  

1. A movement promoting cooperation and better understanding among different religious groups or denominations.

---

Other Word Forms

• ecumenist noun

Etymology

Origin of ecumenism

First recorded in 1965–70; ecumen(ic) ( def. ) + -ism

Example Sentences

The Rev. Cyril Hovorun, professor of ecclesiology, international relations and ecumenism at University College Stockholm, said Kirill’s latest comments show him to be in a “golden cage.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2022

Le Monde newspaper said the proposals had led to a fierce battle within the French Catholic Church between “advocates of modernity and ecumenism and the guardians of a nostalgic conservatism.”

From New York Times • Dec. 10, 2021

Stores took various approaches to doctrinal strictness, but given that they were for-profit businesses, most erred toward as much ecumenism as their audiences would allow.

From Slate • Jul. 11, 2019

Progressive approaches to Catholic teaching that most German bishops have long advocated—on ecumenism, moral teaching and decentralized church governance—now enjoy the support of Pope Francis.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2018

Indeed, it is the real source of the remarkable movement towards ecumenism by which members of historically antagonistic religions and sects seem irresistibly drawn towards one another.

From The Promise of World Peace by Universal House of Justice