Saturday in Rome was a gorgeous spring day. I had the joy of meeting Ralph Martin at 10 a.m. in Vatican Square. We shared a cup of coffee and Ralph had to run. He was kind to give me a short visit so we could actually meet in person.

Ralph Martin has been a leader in renewal movements for many years and he is the author of many books, articles, and audio albums on contemporary issues in the life of the Church and the teachings of the saints. He is currently Director of Graduate Programs in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit and Assistant Professor of Theology. He continues to lead the work of Renewal Ministries, an organization devoted to Catholic Renewal and Evangelization and hosts the weekly television program “The Choices We Face.”

I first met Ralph, but only through a brief handshake, about 25 years ago. He was leading an ecumenical conference that was held in […]

After an afternoon that allowed some time to finally kick back and rest a little at my room on Piazza Farnese I had dinner at The Lay Center on Friday evening, March 11. This invitation was arranged by Michael Severance of Acton Institute, mentioned in my blogs regarding Day One and Day Two. I was also joined by Nate Bacon, the leader of our Rome team.

The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas is directed by Dr. Donna Orsuto. Originally from Ohio, Donna is the co-founder and director of the Lay Centre. She is also a Professor at the Institute of Spirituality of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. She lectures extensively and gives retreats in various parts of the world.  Her most recent book is entitled Holiness (New Century Theology)'>Holiness (London: Continuum 2006). She is involved in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, having served as a consultant for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious […]

On Friday, March 11, I joined Deacon John Green, Deacon Nate Bacon and Jose Penata, for a conversation with Fr. Keith J. Pecklers, Keith is an American who was trained at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley (CA) has been a professor in Rome since 1992. Dr. Pecklers describes himself, on his Facebook profile, as: “A Theologian, Liturgist, Faithful son of Vatican II, and a Jesuit.” He add that he is “an apostle of [the] liturgical renewal of Vatican II.” He teaches liturgy and ecumenism at the Pontifical Gregorian University, one of the best-known Vatican universities. He has written, contributed to, or edited nine books. His courses include:

• Introduction to Liturgy
• Liturgy and Ecumenism
• A Seminar on Eucharistic Theology
• The History of Liturgy in the West

Keith is a Jesuit of the New York Province and serves as an "on air" expert in church affairs for ABC NEWS. Keith holds an MA in Liturgical Studies from the University of Notre Dame and a Licentiate and Doctorate in Sacred Liturgy from […]

After our time at the PCPCU at the Vatican our small group walked to the Angelicum for the second time in two days. Here we had a small lunch in the college and then a wonderful meeting with Fr. Frederick M Bliss, S.M. Fr. Bliss teaches courses on ecumenism at the Angelicum. His special interest is the theology and history of ecumenism. He is veteran of these conversations and has much more than an academic interest, though he is a very capable academic.

He is also the author of several books, including:

Understanding Reception: A Backdrop to Its Ecumenical Use (1993)

Anglicans in Rome: A History (2006)

Catholic and Ecumenical: History and Hope (1999)

Fr. Bliss is deeply engaged in ecumenical teaching, writing and dialog. He is a compassionate and warm Christian brother who engaged with our team in a kind spirit with a keen mind. It was a delight to spend about ninety minutes with him. He […]

Thursday, March 10, was the day I most looked forward to in Rome. I was not disappointed. Our itinerary included a visit with two leaders in the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) in the Vatican. Our gracious hosts were Fr. Gosbert Byamungu and Fr. Juan Usma Gomez. Today I will describe this meeting and then tomorrow tell about the second part of a very busy Day Four. The PCPCU is very closely linked with the work of Vatican Council II and Pope John XXIII’s desire that the Catholic Church become engaged in the modern ecumenical movement. Even before Vatican Council II Pope John XXIII established, on June 5, 1960, a secretariat for promoting Christian unity. This was, in actuality, a “preparatory commission” for the forthcoming global council. This was the first time the Catholic Church had ever officially engaged with the worldwide ecumenical movement. Knowing this history I entered the building with a deep sense of appreciation that a little more than fifty years […]

As I mentioned a few days ago my trip to Rome came about because (Catholic) Deacon Nathaniel Bacon, an InnerCHANGE missionary in Guatemala, read my book and concluded that I should be a part of a group he invited to meet and develop friendships in an ecumenical context in Rome. I initially said “yes” to the possibility of going, several months ago, and then had second thoughts less than a month before the trip. After two days of intense prayer and seeking God for three specific answers to specific questions I felt the door opened and that I should go in faith. I have no doubt that I made the right choice in hearing the Lord’s word in this matter.

On day three, Wednesday, March 9, I met the members of the InnerCHANGE group for the first time. I also reconnected with my friend Deacon John Green. Nate Bacon had spent a year-long sabbatical in Rome in 2008-9 and knew a number of the people who […]