This collection of articles, Towards an Ecumenical Church, is the outcome of the National Conference conducted in 2024 under the auspices of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Systematic Theology Faculty. DVK has been acclaimed internationally for its commitment to continuing the legacy of dialogue between Churches and Religions since its very inception. Dialogue is part of the very DNA of DVK.

From Ut Unum Sint to Unitatis Redintegratio, the clarion call has been to restore the unity of Christians for the “enlightenment, edification, and joy of the entire Christian People.” The Second Vatican Council and post-conciliar documents strongly affirmed the Catholic Church’s relationship with other churches. Over the years, however, renowned ecumenists and church leaders have observed dwindling enthusiasm for ecumenical dialogue due to theological, administrative, and practical reasons.

Today, the search for Christian unity seems to have reached a stalemate at the global level. Nevertheless, the Church remains convinced that divisions among Christians “openly contradict the will of Christ, scandalize the world, and damage the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature.”

Moving beyond conciliar teachings, our task today is to rediscover the mystery dimension of the Church’s theology. The discernment of “One Church in Many Churches” is the present ecumenical task—at least as a beginning—which will eventually lead to a deeper communion of Churches. We must return to the original vision of the Church as a Communion of diverse churches, united in the central Christological faith yet expressed through different traditions and contexts.

Asian Churches, in particular, are called to embark upon a new path, distinct from the approaches of Western churches, which are often more theoretical, academic, philosophical, and historical. Gone are the days of past controversies; they cannot be solved by reopening old debates. Instead, in our moments of hopelessness and helplessness, we must turn to the life-giving power of God’s Word—the only source of unity and salvation for the Church and the world.