Ecumenical Officer, Fr. Emile

The Ecumenical Officer is responsible for representing the archbishop in fostering understanding and respect between the people of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and persons who are not Catholics, both Christian and members of other faiths.

Address: 146 Fourth St.
City: Westwego
State: LA
Zip: 70094
Phone: 504-341-9522
Fax: 504-341-5957
Web: http://ecu.arch-no.org
Email: [email protected]

Mission Statement of the Ecumenical and Interreligious Commission of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
As the New Orleans Archdiocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Commission, we will:

• Strive to educate ourselves and others in order to reach out to Christian Communities and other Faith Traditions.
• Pray, promote active dialogue, and social outreach through acts of justice and charity. 

Key Statements from the Documents of the Second Vatican Council on Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council…

Today, in many parts of the world, under the inspiring grace of the Holy Spirit, many efforts are being made in prayer, word and action to attain that fullness of unity which Jesus Christ desires. The Sacred Council exhorts all the Catholic faithful to recognize the signs of the times and to take an active and intelligent part in the work of ecumenism.                 
–Unitatis Redintegratio, Decree on Ecumenism, November 21, 1964, parr. 1,4

The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions…

The Church, therefore, exhorts her [children], that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these [people]. 
–Nostra Aetate, Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, October 28, 1965, parr. 1,

Concerning Islam:
The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth,(5) who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.
– Nostra Aetate, par. 3

Concerning Judaism:
As the sacred synod searches into the mystery of the Church, it remembers the bond that spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham's stock… Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies as well as of fraternal dialogues.
– Nostra Aetate, par. 4