Ecumenical dialogues catch up – March 2026

"News in brief" about bi-lateral discussions between the Catholic and Methodist churches, and the Church of England and the United Reformed Church.

Catholic Church and the Methodist Church

An update from National Ecumenical Officer of the Methodist Connexion, Rev Steven Cooper and National Ecumenical Officer of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Fr Marc Homsey

Just before Christmas, the Catholic Church and the world Methodist Council published We Believe in One God: 60 years of Methodists and Catholics walking together.

This new publication is “a record of hope and a call to deeper communion”, detailing progress made over the past six decades towards full visible unity between these two Christian world communions.

It serves as overview of what Methodists and Catholics believe together, and is a really excellent and accessible read. In illuminating the extensive dialogue between the Methodist and Catholic Churches, it gets to the heart of our shared faith in Christ. For both our traditions, in a clear and concise way it helps to draw out and celebrate what it is to be Methodist, what it is to be Catholic, and to appreciate the riches that Methodists and Roman Catholics share with each other.

As we begin our new quinquennium, “We Believe” will serve as great motivation and encouragement to build on the wonderful work of the past 60 years.

Cover of We Believe In One God
Cover of We Believe In One God

Download We Believe in One God

Church of England and the United Reformed Church

An update from Head of Ecumenism for the URC, Lindsey Brown, and National Church of England Officer for Local Ecumenism, Rev Tim Norwood

We are delighted that a new link group between the Church of England and the United Reformed Church is being formed. It will be co-Chaired by Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, principal of The Queen’s Foundation, and the Rev Steve Faber, Moderator of West Midlands Synod. The aim of the group will be to consider how we can get on with mission together: sharing good practice, learning from one another, and working on practical guidance.

Members of the Church of England and URC link group
L to R: Rev Tim Norwood, National Church of England Officer for Local Ecumenism; Rev Steve Faber, West Midlands Synod Moderator; Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, principal at Queen’s Foundation, in Birmingham; Lindsey Brown, Head of Ecumenism for the URC

The Terms of Reference for the new group have been set and members from both churches are being recruited.

Read more about international and national ecumenical dialogues.