How does ecumenism differ from interreligious dialogue?
Ecumenism seeks to give more visible expression to the deep unity in the Trinitarian life that unites Christians through their common baptism. It is intra-Christian. Interfaith or interreligious dialogue pertains to Christian relations with members of other world religions. For example, dialogue among Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Lutherans and Methodists is not interfaith dialogue but ecumenical or interchurch dialogue. They are all members of the same religion or faith, i.e. Christianity. When Christians dialogue with Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, or Muslims, it is interfaith or interreligious because each belongs to a different religion.
