Ecumenical news: October 2026
Here is some of the news from our member churches and the wider ecumenical movement since our Annual Forum in May. Each story links to its original source.
Anglican and Catholic bishops meet in Auckland
New Zealand’s Anglican and Catholic bishops met in Auckland in September, joined by an assistant Anglican bishop from Polynesia. The bishops of the two churches meet every year or two. This time they talked about the formal dialogues between their churches, their shared work against human trafficking and modern slavery, schools, safe ministry and synodality (the practice of listening and working together). Read the bishops’ media release.
Methodist and Catholic dialogue completes a new report
The international commission for dialogue between Methodists and Catholics, which began its work in 1967, approved its latest report on 7 October. The report, One in Faith and Ministry to the World, says the two churches share a common confession of faith, and it asks both of them to take formal steps to recognise the communion they already share. Read more from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.
General Synod meets in Tonga
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia held its 67th General Synod Te Hīnota Whānui in Nukuʻalofa in August. Synod passed a motion on the wellbeing of the ocean unanimously, with acclamation. The motion asks the church to prepare liturgies and practical steps for parishes and dioceses, and to explore partnerships with Pacific churches, communities and other bodies. Read the story on Anglican Taonga.
Hospital Chaplaincy Awareness Week
Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa, formerly the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy, held its awareness week from 7 to 11 September, with drop-in conversations and information tables in hospitals. The council has worked across the country for more than 50 years and now has more than 90 chaplains and 200 volunteers in 39 hospitals. Read more from Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa.
Bible Society New Zealand turns 180
On 2 September Bible Society New Zealand marked 180 years of Bible work in this country. The society translates and distributes the Scriptures, including resources in te reo Māori and in audio and Braille, and is running an anniversary appeal. Read about the anniversary.
Resources for the 2027 Week of Prayer
The resources for the 2027 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are now available. They were prepared by the Irish Council of Churches and the Council for Ecumenism and Dialogue of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, on the theme “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). In Aotearoa New Zealand we keep the Week from Ascension to Pentecost, which next year runs from Thursday 6 May to Sunday 16 May. See our listing for the Week, or download the resources from the World Council of Churches.
Coming up: the CWS Christmas Appeal
Christian World Service’s Christmas Appeal this year is called Give Light Give Life. It supports the Australian partner UnitingWorld to bring renewable energy to more than 8,600 people in remote parts of the Solomon Islands. Churches here have supported the appeal since the first Christmas Bowl in 1945, and CWS has resources for churches on its website. Find out more from CWS.
If your church or community has ecumenical news to share, we would be glad to hear about it. You can send it to us through our contact page.