Ecumenical Dialogue Between Baptists and Catholics in France
Ecumenical Dialogue Between Baptists and Catholics in France

Summary/Abstract: Ecumenical Catholic-Baptist dialog in France dates back to 1981. Since then, two delegations have met regularly. The first phase of dialogue took place between 1981 and 1986 and aimed to help the two Churches get to know each other. On the one hand, Catholics and Baptists agreed that they hold in common their faith in the Trinity, the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption, and the relationship between baptism and faith. They differ, on the other hand, in their concept of the Church, the episcopate, the sacraments, and the issue of the baptizing children. During the second phase of dialogue, which took place between 1986 and 1991, dialogue centered on the topics of mission and evangelization. The third and fourth phases of dialogue were dedicated to the issue of baptism, the Eucharist-Last Supper, ministerial office. The document entitled “From Baptism to the Church: Current Agreements and Discrepancies “ was the fruit of this dialogue. During the fifth phase of dialogue, which took place between 2001 and 2009, the two groups discussed the topics of Mary, specifically Mariology, based on tradition, dogma, and piety. The current phase of dialogue is focusing on the questions of social ethics. Catholic- Baptist dialogue in France has been very fruitful. The documents that have resulted from these dialogues reveal where the two denominations agree on the fundamental truths of the faith, ethics, and spirituality. The fundamental and dramatic difference between the two Churches, however, remains: their respective concepts of the Church. Based on the tone of the conversations thus far, it is clear that the main goal of the two Churches is not to come to complete agreement, but rather to seek the truth by better understanding each others’ doctrines and traditions.

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