CHARLOTTE — Father Benjamin Roberts, D.Min., took a summer course in ecumenism and interreligious dialogue at the Centro Pro Unione in Rome in 2011, but it was far from his first exposure to the concept that deals with the relationship between Catholics and other Christian denominations.
“I was baptized in the Episcopal Church, raised Lutheran and then was received into full communion as a Catholic in my early 20s,” Father Roberts explains. “So, for me, ecumenism is both a theological commitment, because it’s the Church’s commitment, but also a personal commitment.”
He noted that since he has dear friends who are Lutheran, Presbyterian and Baptist ministers as well as family members who are not Catholic, “working with other Christians is really part of my lifeblood.”
It’s no surprise then that Bishop Michael Martin appointed Father Roberts as ecumenical officer for the Diocese of Charlotte, effective Jan. 29.
The ecumenical officer is the principal advisor to the bishop on ecumenical and interreligious matters; represents the bishop and diocese to the Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers (CADEIO), a national organization that works with the U.S. bishops, as well as to other ecumenical and interreligious gatherings; serves as a consultant to diocesan leaders and entities on ecumenical and interreligious matters; and promotes a spirit of cooperation, collaboration and understanding with other faith communities.
The position went dormant about 13 years ago, and while Father Roberts advised then-Bishop Peter Jugis on ecumenical questions over the years, his focus was on his roles as pastor of Our
Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe and as chairman of the diocese’s Presbyteral Council. He is also the new president of the Catholic Association of Teachers of Homiletics, a professional guild for the support and mutual sharing of scholarship for those who teach preaching.
“I’ve informally been doing this work, and so now the bishop has decided to make this official, reflecting his commitment to working with other Christians and other religions in our area,” Father Roberts said.
The appointment received praise from CADEIO President Dr. F. Javier Orozco, OFS, PhD.
“Our Church and CADEIO, in particular, will be blessed by the pastoral care, leadership and expertise Father Roberts brings to our ecumenical and interreligious ministry,” Orozco said. “This past year, I had the opportunity to meet Father Roberts in person, and I was impressed by his generous heart and love for people and cultures.”
Monsignor Gregory Fairbanks, dean of the School of Diaconal Formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Pennsylvania, was one of Father Roberts’ professors.
“He definitely has a passion for this work,” said Monsignor Fairbanks, who is a former official of the Dicastery for Christian Unity in Rome and works on ecumenical matters for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. “I think ecumenism is so admirable in our world today where nobody wants to talk to each other anymore – just talk about each other. I think he has the personal qualities to be able to listen, to learn, and to dialogue in a respectful way with others.”
Father Roberts sees a path forward during these contentious times through ecumenical friendship.
“To me that means friendly relationships with Christians of other denominations,” he explains. “We recognize we are in union in Christ Jesus and that we are able to speak and become friends and cultivate personal relationship but recognize, of course, that that also takes place in the context of our faith convictions.”
As Orozco notes, “In a Jubilee Year when we seek to grow more intentionally in our identity as ‘pilgrims of hope,’ I believe building bridges of interreligious cooperation and ecumenical unity are meaningful steps forward in our common mission of faith.”
In a world that often emphasizes differences instead of focusing on similarities, Father Roberts said he looks forward to providing guidance and building bridges in his new role.
“I’m grateful for the bishop’s appointment and allowing me to continue and to officially work in this area which I’m really passionate about,” he said.
— Trish Stukbauer