In celebration of the 2021 visit to the University of Notre Dame by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as well as the thirtieth anniversary of his election, this groundbreaking volume gathers together and introduces eleven important joint statements from the patriarch, addressing diverse topics from climate change to ecumenical dialogue.

As the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, His All-Holiness Bartholomew, Orthodox Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, has long been a beacon for strengthening interreligious and interfaith dialogues on the world stage. This volume assembles eleven joint statements initiated by the ecumenical patriarch with prominent global Christian leaders, including Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope St. John Paul II, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and Archbishop Ieronymos II. It also includes Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s address at Notre Dame upon receiving an honorary doctorate.

The statements address a wide array of pressing issues, including human rights, the environment, support of migrants, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the relationship between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, frequently referred to as “sister churches.” The book contains a foreword by John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, and an introduction by John Chryssavgis, which provides an overview of the ecumenical patriarch’s long ministry and powerful vision, illustrating his significance both within the Orthodox world as well as on the world stage. Beyond its testimony to the patriarch’s longstanding commitment to interreligious and inter-Christian dialogue, this collection of joint statements has the added benefit of gathering these all-important texts into one convenient place for the first time.

Foreword

Introduction

Climate Change: An Ecumenical Imperative

Joint Statements

1. On the Importance of Dialogue
with Pope John Paul II in Rome (1995)

2. A Code of Environmental Ethics
with Pope John Paul II in Venice and Rome (2002)

3. Dialogue of Charity
with Pope John Paul II in Rome (2004)

4. Dialogue of Truth
with Pope Benedict XVI in Istanbul (2006)

5. Anniversary of a Milestone
with Pope Francis in Jerusalem (2014)

6. Confirmation of Common Witness
with Pope Francis in Istanbul (2014)

7. Climate Change and Human Health
with Archbishop Welby in Istanbul and Canterbury (2015)

8. Responding to the Refugee Crisis
with Pope Francis and Archbishop Ieornymos in Lesvos (2016)

9. Standing up to Modern Slavery
with Archbishop Welby in Istanbul (2017)

10. World Day of Prayer for Creation
with Pope Francis in Rome and Istanbul (2017)

11. A Universal Appeal for a Global Challenge
with Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby in Rome, Istanbul, and Canterbury (2021)

Notes