Abstract:
In contemporary South Africa, it would be true to say that there is no longer any
urgency with regard to organic union as an aim of ecumenism. This marks a
significant reversal of the pre-1994 situation where political and other motives
stimulated the impulse. This is not only a local situation, for ecumenism has
taken on a different character globally. Former alignments have weakened, and
emerging alignments challenge former assumptions regarding ecumenism—and
are no less political than formerly within the Pentecostal bloc, which has ousted
the SACC from its former place of privilege in the government’s affections.
This is not to say that nothing has been happening on the ecumenical scene.
There has been significant activity which is ongoing and offers hope for the
future of cooperation. This article includes material up to the present and
explores these recent activities of the twenty-first century.
