Ecumenical Activities
 


Churches Together in Rome
The CTR consists of clergy and lay delegates from each of the 9 English-speaking churches in Rome. The Committee organizes joint events for the week of Prayer for Christian Unity and coordinates the annual Rice Bowl Project during Lent.

Mini Bazaars with Santa Susanna
St Paul's works with S. Susanna to organize mini-bazaars held at St Paul's two or three times a year, selling books, clothes and bric-a-brac: refugees and the poor come towards the end of the day to take anything they might need. The monies are divided between the two churches, and St Pauls' portion generally goes to the JNRC.

The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center
The JNRC caters to political refugees from all over the world. At this time they are principally Muslims. The JNRC is manned by volunteers from religious and lay organizations and individuals around the city. Sister Emy from the RC order of Sisters of Sion volunteers each morning. It is interesting to note that the main focus of the mission outreach of the Sisters is on Judeo-Christian relations, in collaboration with the Centro Pro Unione. They run the Judeo-Christian study library in the center of Rome (SIDIC).

Caritas
St Paul's works with Caritas on a number of schemes. Principally, on refugee affairs - St Paul's provides a day center with assistance in getting papers, while Caritas offers meals and dormitory accommodation, but dialogue is continuous on both sides. Also, Caritas provides meal vouchers for the poor - the elderly, the homeless, the street people - which are distributed by various churches around the city, including St Paul's. Approximately 70 people come to us on a regular basis for these vouchers, and while it is a token help, for many of these people the chance to eat well and in company just once a month makes all the difference.

Immigrant Youth Ministry
Fr. Peter is an English monk with the Padri Sacramentini (RC) who comes to St Paul's twice a week to carry out his ministry with youngsters from Eastern Europe. He is mostly concerned with getting these children into schools and institutions in the city. He works in cooperation with the Questura and with Caritas.

Anglo-American Medical Assistance Fund
Fr. Michael has been president of this organization for the last six years. Representatives from the American and British Consulates, the English-Speaking Churches of Rome and the wider community meet regularly to make available funds to English and American expatriates who find themselves in medical hardship. There are branches of this organization also in Naples, Florence and Milan. The Roman committee manages a portfolio of 1.5 million dollars.

Centro Pro Unione
The Centro Pro Unione organizes a series of lectures and courses with guest speakers from all denominations on subjects of universal interest. They also run an inter-denominational study library, and help coordinate lectures and guided tours of the Jewish ghetto with the Sisters of Sion.

The Anglican Centre in Rome
St Paul's has always had an excellent relationship with the Anglican Centre. The annual summer course of the Anglican Centre, ROMESS, visits St Paul's each year to learn about the Episcopal Church and the missions and ministries of this church. The Anglican Centre is the official Embassy of Lambeth Palace to the ecumenical community in Rome, with a natural emphasis on the Vatican. The Director, The Rt. Rev. Richard Garrard, is an Assisting Bishop in the Convocation of American Churches in Europe.

Miscellaneous
Fr Michael represents the American Episcopal Church at the annual meetings of the English Synod, and both he and lay members of the community are regularly asked to speak for a variety of ecumenical gatherings organized particularly for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity but also for other occasions by a number of different groups.