An Experiment in Ecumenical Dialogue Before Vatican II: The Shared Path of the International League for Apostolic Faith and Order and the Catholic Conference on Ecumenical Questions

Ecumenical memory is a vital compass for charting the path toward Christian unity. Remembering where we come from and the processes that have shaped our present not only deepens our understanding of current realities but can also unlock new insights for the future. This article explores a largely forgotten chapter in ecumenical history: the collaboration between the International League for Apostolic Faith and Order (ILAFO) and the Catholic Conference for Ecumenical Questions (CCEQ) in the years leading up to Vatican II. Initiated in 1960 after years of planning, this ecumenical dialogue unfolded through joint conferences in Warmond, Mirfield, and Chevetogne, fostering exchanges between Catholic and non-Catholic theologians. The study explores the origins, motivations, and challenges of this partnership, analysing how shifting dynamics within the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Vatican II preparations influenced its development. Drawing on archival sources, it sheds light on internal debates and the broader ecumenical landscape of the time.