For the Communion of the Churches: The Contribution of the Groupe Des Dombes

Founded by Abb Paul Couturier in 1937, the Groupe des Dombes is a Protestant-Catholic coalition in French-speaking Europe uniting Reformed, Lutheran, and Catholic scholars in a common spirit of prayer, dialogue, and discernment. Its pioneering work of reconciliation has influenced many other official ecumenical dialogues. This volume presents six statements produced by the Groupe des Dombes from 1971 to 1991, which appear here together in English translation for the first time. These substantial documents express the Groupes keen insights into the renewal of theology and church life that is necessary for progress toward full ecclesial unity and they invite churches to pursue fruitful dialogue, mutual understanding, harmony, and the hopeful vision of a future in full communion. In the journey of the churches toward the unity for which Christ prayed, no other informal group of scholars has been so influential or long-standing in their service as the French Groupe des Dombes. We can be grateful to have this group of texts drawn together, including one newly translated, which have had such a historic role in developing agreements among the churches. The skillful introduction makes these texts a useful resource for teaching, exploring ecumenical history, and providing resources for church leaders in their response to Christs prayer that they all may be one. Jeffrey Gros, FSC Memphis Theological Seminary Until now, most of these Groupe des Dombes documents have not been readily accessible to English-language readers. . . . We are very grateful to Catherine E. Clifford for collecting these important documents and for translating the text on the papal ministry. This book will help many people to progress toward the communion of the churches. Joseph Famere Catholic University of Louvain