The Ecumenical Institute of the Catholic Faculty of Theology and the Institute for Ecumenical Theology of the Protestant Faculty of Theology in Münster (Germany) organized their annual Ecumenical Lecture last Monday, 26 January 2026, with sr. Nathalie Becquart XMCJ, Undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod, as special guest and speaker.
She provided an address on the topic ‘Synodality and Ecumenism: Celebrating Nicaea’s Legacy to Foster Our Journey Together.’ “The synodal process is a significant milestone for ecumenism and has opened up new paths for the unity of the churches”, stated sister Nathalie, “As Pope Francis used to say ‘the synodal path of the Roman Catholic Church must be ecumenical and the ecumenical movement synodal’.
Addressing the participants, she enlighted the common spiritual attitudes, of listening and learning, encounter and exchange of gifts, requested to strengthen both synodality and ecumenism; the contribution of the fraternal delegates during the synodal process as exchange of gifts; and gave some guidelines on how to move forward.
The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD had already initiated a synodal path for the Church, reminding it of its role in the world to stand up for the preservation of creation, to strive for peace, and to bear witness to hope and change.
The lecture was followed by a lively discussion.
Download Sister Becquart’s presentation (PDF in English)