ecumenical movement

Movement for reunification of the various branches, or denominations, of the Christian church. It began in the 19th century with the extension of missionary work to Africa and Asia, where the divisions created in Europe were incomprehensible and hindered the work of spreading the gospel. The movement gathered momentum in the 20th century, mainly from the need for unity in the face of growing secularism (lack of religious faith) in Christian countries and of the challenge posed by such faiths as Islam. The World Council of Churches was founded in 1948.

The ecumenical movement explores the ways in which churches can work together, despite denominational differences. It does not aim to make all Christians the same, but asks the different denominations to cooperate and try to understand and tolerate each other.