The first official dialog between the Catholic Church and Pentecostals has begun in England

Churches Together in England (CTE) has welcomed the launch of the first ever official dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Pentecostal movement. According to Christian Today, the event marked an important step in strengthening ecumenical ties and finding a path to interfaith unity.

Formal talks began in March at the offices of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in London. The meeting was held in an atmosphere of prayer and conviviality, allowing participants to focus on sharing spiritual experiences and theological ideas. Representatives of both traditions emphasized that the main purpose of the discussion was to find common ground and opportunities for further cooperation, while avoiding confrontation and open disputes.

The discussions were characterized as “honest and thoughtful.” Participants not only discussed areas of agreement, but also addressed potentially sensitive issues by examining Scripture and focusing on the experience of developing Anglican-Pentecostal relationships. A CTE statement noted that the meeting was “an important step for bilateral ecumenical dialogues in England,” showing powerful evidence that unity is achievable if the parties are willing to listen carefully to each other.

One of the key participants in the meeting was Dr. John Steyn, a representative of the Catholic Church. In his remarks, he expressed his hope that the foundation laid for the relationship would allow for deeper engagement in the future. Quoting William J. Seymour, Stein reminded that being in the Holy Spirit makes believers “one common family.” He added that it is the Spirit poured out on the Day of Pentecost that inspires Christians to overcome the divisions of the past for the sake of the common witness of the gospel.