Welcome to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement Website for Christian Unity

NEW  ·  Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025   →  Download and Order Materials    |    Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Edition 3  →  Download E-book

Living Bread Descended from Heaven

Eight hundred years ago St. Francis of Assisi – on Christmas night in 1223 – desiring to make memory of the Child born in Bethlehem and see “with the eyes of the body” the hardships suffered by an infant deprived of basic things, thought of “transforming” Greccio into a “New Bethlehem.” This is the “Franciscan crib.” There are no figures of Mary and Joseph. The figure of Mary, Mother of God, is metaphorically present with THE MOON, recalling the spendthriftness and beauty of Mary assumed into heaven.

St. Francis is represented, as he lays the Child of Bethlehem in the magiary. The Holy Spirit, represented by the WHITE COLUMB. St. Clare, holding an oil lamp to “illuminate that night which lighted all days and years with the splendor of the star”: “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Jn. 1:9). St. Anthony, with the lily and the Holy Text in his hand. The church of San Damiano, placed on the left side of the scene, where St. Francis composed the Canticle OF CREATURES in 1224, a “hymn of thanksgiving” to God the Creator for the earth and its fruits, and elements such as the moon, stars, water, the “iocundo” fire, which gives light and overcomes darkness recalling the Resurrection, when in the form of a burning bush he speaks to Moses and represents the Holy Spirit.

Credits · Universalis Fœderatio Præsepistica · International exhibition of Cribs at the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome

Statue artifacting and Scenography: Mauro Marcato (Curtarolo – PD) e Nicolò Celegato (Selvazzano – PD)

Merry Christmas from the Centro Pro Unione!

📌   To the LIBRARY USERS

The Library will close for Christmas Holidays from December 21, 2024 to January 6, 2025.
It will reopen on January 7, 2025.

   Activities and Mission / 2024

   Visits to Centro Pro Unione

On Nov. 19, the Centro Pro Unione received a very gracious visit of the V. Rev. Emil Tomaskovic, SA, new Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, who was traveling to Rome.
It was a cordial afternoon meeting with staff and leadership of the CPU to share insights about the current and future pathways and projects that Centro is called to pursue, under the ministry of the Friars of the Atonement.
The Minister General was joined by a long-standing collaborator of the Atonement Friars in Graymoor, Louis Lobardo, and the Procurator General in Italy Bro Paolo Nicosia, SA.

   Latest Events

  Poster
 

Poster-2024-12-12-Becquart-WattsonWhite-CentroProUnione.pdf
Poster-2024-12-12-Becquart-WattsonWhite-CentroProUnione.pdf

  Dépliant
 

Depliant-2024-12-12-Becquart-WattsonWhite-CentroProUnione.pdf
Depliant-2024-12-12-Becquart-WattsonWhite-CentroProUnione.pdf

   Conference Streaming

"The Contribution of Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson, sa to the Modern Ecumenical Movement"  ·  125th Anniversary Society of the Atonement

   Lecturer · Rev. Dr. Richard Gribble, CSC

   Publications

M.A.D. 3: THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE CENTRO PRO UNIONE TO THE SYNOD

The full Report of M.A.D. 3, third Edition of the M.A.D. for Ecumenism – Mutual Accountability Desk project that interacted with the Synod process, is now available in electronic format.

The E-book “Synodal Ecumenical Workshop” (462 pages, including photographs) contains the complete documentation of both the process and the final product of M.A.D. 3.

     The documentation of the M.A.D. 3 process includes: two theological essays by experts on Synodality and the ancient Synods, the individual reflections of the Catholic faithful invited by the Centro Pro Unione to participate in the M.A.D. 3 project (and affectionately called with the nickname M.A.D.ers) and the individual comments of the Ecumenical Consultants offered as feedback to the M.A.D.ers’ reflections.

     The documentation of the final product of M.A.D. 3 includes the two Syntheses of what emerged from the process, which were submitted to the Secretariat of the Synod as an ecumenical contribution by the Centro Pro Unione. The first Synthesis –a document entitled Identità cristiana: indagine sui temi emergenti della fede e della società (Christian Identity: An Enquiry on Emerging Trends in Faith and in Society)– presents the reflections of the M.A.D.ers grouped according to themes related to the challenges and potentials of Christian identity in the current contemporary context as well as the key characteristics of a synodal church for the future. The second Synthesis –a document entitled Assidui nell’ascolto: un responso ecumenico sinodale (Devoted to Listening: An Ecumenical Synodal Response)– is the fruit of the work of the Ecumenical Consultants (leaders, theologians and pastors from various Christian traditions) invited by the Centro Pro Unione to give their feedback on the reflections of the M.A.D.ers, highlighting some ways of reading the current ecclesial context and offering concrete proposals so that the Catholic Church can best respond to the expectations of the faithful and the ecclesial vision of Pope Francis. The Consultants jointly drafted and signed the document which constitues a concrete “synodal cameo” that has not only used a synodal methodology but also exercised an ecumenical synodality.

     The M.A.D. 3 project has activated a fruitful communional “chain of listening”, in response to Pope Francis’ invitation to a responsible synodal participation with an ecumenical spirit and capacity to listen and act, in order to discern and renew our ecclesial style.

E-book

Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 3

Synodal Ecumenical Workshop

M.A.D. for Ecumenism / E-book Editions
Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 1

Itinerary of a Historical Exchange of Pulpit

Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 2

“By baptism […] we walk in newness of life” (Rom 6: 4)

Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 3

Synodal Ecumenical Workshop

   Week of Prayer for Christian Unity / 2025

Prayer Guide Booklet · Poster · Daily Prayer

Available print and digital material

Materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 available in digital format on the website and for ordering hard copy

Order Form · Print Material

   Bulletin / Latest Issue · Fall 2023

Summary
  • Editorial Letter from the Acting Director — Timothy MacDonald, SA
  • Conference · (In Case You Missed It) The “Ecumenical Winter” is Over — Thomas F. Best
  • Conference · Baptism and Growth in Communion: Ecclesiological Implications of the latest Lutheran-Catholic Joint Commission — Dirk G. Lange
  • Conference · The Decisive Significance of the Book of Amos for Understanding the Literary Prophecy — Jack Bemporad
  • Formation Program · Summer School Rome 2024 — Ecumenical & Interreligious Movements from a Catholic Perspective
  • Synod 2023 · Together | Gathering of People of God — Workshop “History of a Future” at the Centro Pro Unione
  • Celebrative Event · Report M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Edition 3: “Synodal ecumenical workshop” presented to the Secretariat of the Synod as contribution specifically ecumenical to the Synodal journey
  • Annual conference in Honour of the Atonement Society Co-founders · “Towards a Contemporary Spirituality of Reconciliation” — Dr Prof Donna Orsuto
  • Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 · “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27)
  • Ecumenical Networking · Visitors at the CPU / An honored visit of the WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay the Faith and Order Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations Prof. Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc
  • Overview of the CPU Activities · Annual Reports and Statistics 2020-2024
  • Editorial Catalog · Books and Course Volumes — A formative itinerary in Ecumenism and Christian Unity proposed by the Centro Pro Unione
  • Digital Network · Latest updates from our official media channels
  • Benefactors guide · Make a free donation to support the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement

   Ecumenical Networking

Visit from the WCC Faith and Order New Appointed Director and Delegation
Picture (Left to right): Dr. Prof. Andrej Jeftić, Dr. Teresa Francesca Rossi, Rev. Prof. Timothy MacDonald, SA, Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc and Dr. Loredana Nepi

On May 9th, the CPU received with joy the visit of the new appointed Director of the Faith and Order Commission, Dr. Prof. Andrej Jeftić, accompanied by Dr. Prof. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations and Faith and Order. The visit – which followed that of the World Council of Churches Secretary General, Rev. Dr. Prof. Jerry Pillay on March 23rd – was the opportunity for a cordial and informal exchange on FO projects as well as on CPU activities related to the Library (Dr. Loredana Nepi) and theological-formational projects (Prof. Teresa Francesca Rossi) enriched by the presentation of the charism of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement by Rev. Prof. Timothy MacDonald, SA, Rector of St. Onofrio Church. To the guests from Geneva, our gratitude for the friendly attestation of esteem towards the CPU ministry and for the enriching meeting.

Visit from the General Secretary of the WCC
Picture (Left to right): Fr. James Puglisi, sa, Dr. Jerry Pillay, Dr. Teresa Francesca Rossi, Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc and Dr. Loredana Nepi

On Wednesday March 22, 2023, the World Council of Churches’ General Secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay and Prof. Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations and Faith and Order paid a visit to the Centro Pro Unione.
This was Dr. Pillay’s first visit to Rome after his installation as General Secretary and the Centro’s staff is honored that he would request to meet us and learn more of how the Centro could be engaged in some of the future projects being planned by the Faith and Order commission.
Dr. Pillay was very impressed by the important documentation housed in the Centro’s Library concerning the international and regional theological dialogues and the fact that materials are present in many languages. The delegation also expressed appreciation for the formation projects of the Centro Pro Unione (specifically Mutual Accountability Desk for Ecumenism and annual Summer Course) and for the attention paid to the heuristic aspect of these projects oriented towards a constant meta-reflection on the dynamics of reception and ecumenical formation that the Centro has always activated. The Director and staff were able to speak about the on-going programs of the Centro as well as to describe future programs in development.
Particular interest was shown in the proposed Nicaea 2025 project. Drs. Pillay and Mihoc assured the Centro staff that we would maintain important collaborative relations in the immediate future.

  WCC news · https://www.oikoumene.org/news/wcc-delegation-in-rome-visits-organizations-with-spark-for-christian-unity

   Listen & Watch / Multimedia

Conference 125th Anniversary of the Society of the Atonement ― “The Contribution of Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson, SA to the Modern Ecumenical Movement”
🎙️Rev Dr Richard Gribble, CSC

Celebrative event for the Report presentation “Synodal Ecumenical Laboratory” · Project M.A.D. for Ecumenism ― Module 3
🎙️Revd Domenico Carbonaro, OMD
Synod Coordinator for the city of Rome
🎙️Dr Vasile Octavian Mihoc
WCC program executive for ecumenical relations and Faith and Order

“The Decisive Significance of the Book of Amos for Understanding the Literary Prophets in the Hebrew Bible”
🎙️ Rabbi Jack BEMPORAD
Director The Center for Interreligious Understanding

“Baptism Ecclesiological Implications of the latest Lutheran-Roman Catholic Joint Commission”
🎙️ Dr Dirk G. Lange
Deputy General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations,
Lutheran World Federation and Professor of Worship
and Frederik A. Schiotz Chair of Christian Missions,
Lutheran Seminary USA

“(In Case You Missed It) The Ecumenical Winter is Over”
🎙️ Revd Dr Thomas F. Best
Pastor of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Executive Secretary, Commission on Faith and Order
of the World Council of Churches (1984-2004)
and Director (2004-2007)

“Newman, Wesley and the Logic of Unity: An Inductive Ecumenism”
🎙️ Pastor Prof Daniel Pratt Morris-Chapman
Minister, Ponte Sant’Angelo Church
Visiting Professor, University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Rome · Research Fellow, Wesley House Cambridge & University of Stellenbosch ·
Chair, Churches Together in Rome

Study Day on Sorores in Spe “Sisters in Hope of the Resurrection” · A Fresh Response to the Condemnation of Anglican Orders (1896)
🎙️ Speakers / Panelists
Revd Dr James Hawkey · Prof Joris Geldhof · Prof Thomas O’Loughlin · Fr William Henn, ofm cap · Dr Susan K. Wood, SCL · Rt Revd Bruce J. A. Myers, OGS · Dr Tamara Grdzelidze · Revd Dr Erik Eckerdal · Revd Canon Prof Sarah Coakley, FBA · Revd James F. Puglisi, sa

“The Heritage of Geoffrey Wainwright · Liturgist, Theologian, and Ecumenist”
🎙️ Speakers / Panelists
Revd Prof James F. Puglisi, sa · Revd Prof Bryan D. Spinks · Revd Dr Richard Clutterbuck · Revd Prof William G. Rusch · Revd Dr Bernhard A. Eckerstorfer, osb · Ms. Gillian Kingston · Archbishop Donald J. Bolen · Revd Matthew Laferty

Program of Events

Publications

Editorial Initiatives

See also
Catalog of Books and Volumes
E-book · Digital Edition
Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 1

Itinerary of a Historical Exchange of Pulpit

Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 2

“By baptism […] we walk in newness of life” (Rom 6: 4)

Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 3

Synodal Ecumenical Workshop

Print Edition
Conosciamo i Fratelli — Vol. XIV

Brand new edition from the series "Brief course of Ecumenism"

Purchase
Manual of Ecumenism

A new hands-on guide to Christian Unity

Purchase

Semi-Annual Bulletin

Latest Publication

Bulletin Archives

Published Bulletin Digital / Print (1969-2023)

Fall 2023 / N. 104
    Summary
  • Editorial Letter from the Acting Director — Timothy MacDonald, SA
  • Conference · (In Case You Missed It) The “Ecumenical Winter” is Over — Thomas F. Best
  • Conference · Baptism and Growth in Communion: Ecclesiological Implications of the latest Lutheran-Catholic Joint Commission — Dirk G. Lange
  • Conference · The Decisive Significance of the Book of Amos for Understanding the Literary Prophecy — Jack Bemporad
  • Formation Program · Summer School Rome 2024 — Ecumenical & Interreligious Movements from a Catholic Perspective
  • Synod 2023 · Together | Gathering of People of God — Workshop “History of a Future” at the Centro Pro Unione
  • Celebrative Event · Report M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Edition 3: “Synodal ecumenical workshop” presented to the Secretariat of the Synod as contribution specifically ecumenical to the Synodal journey
  • Annual conference in Honour of the Atonement Society Co-founders · “Towards a Contemporary Spirituality of Reconciliation” — Dr Prof Donna Orsuto
  • Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 · “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27)
  • Ecumenical Networking · Visitors at the CPU / An honored visit of the WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay the Faith and Order Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations Prof. Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc
  • Overview of the CPU Activities · Annual Reports and Statistics 2020-2024
  • Editorial Catalog · Books and Course Volumes — A formative itinerary in Ecumenism and Christian Unity proposed by the Centro Pro Unione
  • Digital Network · Latest updates from our official media channels
  • Benefactors guide · Make a free donation to support the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement

Summer School / Rome

2024

Aims

This course is designed to introduce participants to the ecumenical and interreligious movements from a Catholic perspective.

It will offer a historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them.

The program will explore relations with other religious traditions.

The course, which is in English, is for men and women who are in preparation for ministry or religious life, who are in the mission field, who are ecumenical officers or members of ecumenical commissions, or who are looking for a sabbatical experience led by qualified professors and ecumenists.

Next courses

Summer School proposed dates

June 24 – July 12, 2024

Learn more
Summer School Series
Ecumenism Course  «PORTRAITS»

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

2025

Print and Digital Material

Material for the Week of Prayer 2025 is available now for download and ordering print copy

Prayer Guide,
Poster and Prayer Card

Themes

Interconfessional Theological Dialogues

Official Documents / Agreed statement

Denominations for confessional families churches and councils are searchable with associate and sorting capabilities of the available bilateral documents of dialogues

Documents FULL-TEXT
Latest Updates

Activities

Week of Prayer

List of celebrations in Rome

  Celebrazioni a Roma · 18—25 Gennaio / Celebrations in Rome · 18—25 January
 

SPUC-2023-Roma.pdf
SPUC-2023-Roma.pdf

Links

🗓️  Jan 17 ― Ecumenical Vigil of Prayer

📎  bit.ly/Watch-WPCU2023-VP

🗓️  Jan 18 ― Vatican Radio podcast

📎 bit.ly/Listen-WPCU2023-RV

🗓️  Jan 19 ― Avvenire Newspaper interview

📎 bit.ly/Read-WPCU2023-AV

🗓️  Jan 19 ― Ecumenical Celebration of the Word

📎 bit.ly/Watch-WPCU2023-LC

🗓️  Jan 20 ― Bossey Ecumenical Institute Visit

📎 bit.ly/Read-WPCU2023-BI

🗓️  Jan 25 ― Celebration of Second Vespers

📎 bit.ly/Read-WPCU2023-VE
Ecumenical Celebrations

Week of Prayer

Vigil of Prayer for Christian Unity

Organized by · The Anglican Centre in Rome, Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and Centro Pro Unione

Ecumenical Celebration of the Word

Co-sponsored · The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas and Centro Pro Unione

Library spaces

Access our library reading rooms

The library of the Centro Pro Unione is open and our reading rooms are available.

Library Catalogue

Atonement Society Ministries

Charism

Our ministry for Christian Unity

The Centro Pro Unione is born from the ecumenical charism of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, a branch of the Franciscan family founded by the Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson and Mother Lurana White at the end of the XIX century.

Its principle mission is to provide a place for research, meetings and encounters, formation in theological, social and spiritual ecumenism as well as promoting a sensitivity to the ecumenical movement.

Learn more by visiting the websites

SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL ANNIVERSARY

Opening 60th Anniversary — The Centro Pro Unione which hosted weekly meetings between Council Fathers, Observers and Ecumenical Guests during the Council joyfully remembers the Council’s anniversary

11 October 1962 – 2022 — Fr. James Puglisi, sa, retraces some phases of the ecumenical meetings held in the spaces that are now the headquarters of the Centro Pro Unione and the legacy to be valued of the Second Vatican Council in our days. #SecondVaticanCouncil #UtUnumSint

   Video from the Ecumenical Formation Project — CONOSCIAMO I FRATELLI
   Video from the Ecumenical Formation Project — CONOSCIAMO I FRATELLI

Conferences Webinar

Speaker

Michael D. CALABRIA, OFM, PhD · Director, Center for Arab and Islamic Studies, St. Bonaventure University (USA)

Lecture details

Program

Presentation Nuovo Testamento GRECO — ITALIANO · Società Biblica in Italia (SBI)

Digital Network

M.A.D. for Ecumenism ― phase 3
1st session
M.A.D. for Ecumenism ― phase 3
2nd session