On Saturday, 23 August 2025, the bells of Stockholm Cathedral echoed as they did in 1925, heralding the entrance of bishops, patriarchs, and church leaders in procession for the first Life and Work conference. Clad in their liturgical vestments, they showcased the diversity of their traditions and their commitment to unity.
The celebration centered around three themes: the past (commemoration of the 1925 conference), the present (the state of ecumenism today), and the future (hopes for the road ahead).
The past
Lutheran Bishop Emeritus Jonas Jonson reminisced about the 1925 procession, recounting the emotions, hopes, and newfound fellowship. He highlighted the breaking of nationalism and confessional barriers and the first cooperation between Orthodox and Protestants. “Wounds were healed, bitterness resolved, and the Church’s ethical responsibility expanded globally. The Stockholm conference marked a turning point in Church history.”
The present
Sofia Camnerin, general secretary of the Christian Council of Sweden, noted that unity is already present, rooted in the Trinity. Ecumenism reveals this unity rather than creating it. In a divisive world, unity and fellowship serve as instruments of peace.
She affirmed, “God is near us now. In this moment, God continues to create, enabling every breath, sending His Spirit, and loving the world into unity and reconciliation. This occurs even when it seems contrary.”
The future
Free Church pastor Lisa Fredlund presented a poetic vision of Christ meeting us, wiping away tears, and liberating creation. She emphasized that until then, the Church must embody His presence, celebrate life’s victories, and nurture seeds of growth.
“We should courageously meet others outside our usual circles. Jesus met people without fear of losing himself or reputation. We should go where others won’t, not just visit but understand.”
All speakers agreed: ecumenism is now a peace project, addressing contemporary challenges like wars, economic injustice, climate crisis, migration, artificial intelligence, and social division with a unified Christian response.
Returning to the roots of the Christian faith
During the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, its creed was recited in Stockholm and Uppsala cathedrals. Patriarch Bartholomew recited it in Greek, linking the Council of Nicaea (325) and the Stockholm conference. The assembly was moved: the Churches’ visible unity spans both time and space, as the work of the Holy Spirit.
Flávio Pace, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, read Pope Leo XIV’s message, emphasizing Nicaea’s role in preserving Christian unity. Though absent in 1925, the Catholic Church now fully supports the ecumenical movement. The Pope stated: “What unites us is greater than what divides us. Christ desires visible unity, which grows through dialogue, common prayer, and shared witness against human suffering.”
In a world marked by division, Flávio Pace urged Churches to revisit their faith’s roots, proposing Jerusalem for the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s resurrection in 2033. Lutheran Archbishop Martin Modeus in his homily stated, “Being close to the risen Jesus allows us to see and act as he does.” This presence empowers reconciliation “seventy-seven times seven,” as mentioned in the day’s Gospel (Matthew 18:18-21).
In a workshop presenting the JC2033 initiative, I invited people on a journey of unity and witness towards 2033, recalling that faith in the Triune God, revealed in Christ’s death and resurrection, underpins justice and peace commitments. As the Risen Lord said: “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19).
Conclusion: a path for tomorrow
In 1925, emerging from war ruins, Churches took a crucial step towards unity by confessing sins, proclaiming Trinitarian faith, and committing to peace. In 2025, a century later, more diverse Churches, including Catholic and Pentecostal, renew this commitment.
The Stockholm Conference was a pivotal moment, dismantling walls and opening new paths. Its centenary underscores that Christian unity is not a luxury but a missionary urgency and a necessity for world peace.
The bells of Stockholm still ring today to remind us of Christ’s call: “May they all be one, Father, as you and I are one… so that the world may believe.”
Illustration: In the cathedral of Uppsala, 24 August 2025 (Photo Hillert, WCC)
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