14. Spirit of Ecumenism. Discord among Christians "openly contradicts the will of Christ, provides a stumbling block to the world, and inflicts damage on the most holy cause of proclaiming the good news to every creature".

All Christian communities should "participate in ecumenical dialogue and in other initiatives designed to promote Christian unity". In mission territories this task assumes special urgency so that Jesus' prayer to his Father should not be in vain: "may they be one in us... so that the world may believe it was you who sent me" (Jn 17:21).

Catechists, by their very mission, are necessarily involved in this aspect of the apostolate and should promote an ecumenical spirit in the community, beginning with the catechumens and newly baptized. They should have a deep desire for Christian unity, should willingly engage in dialogue with Christians of other denominations, and should commit themselves generously to ecumenical initiatives, keeping to their particular role and following the Church's directives as specified by the Episcopal Conference and the local Bishop Their catechetical activity, therefore, and their teaching of religion in schools should instil an openness to ecumenical cooperation.

Their activity will be truly ecumenical if they can both courageously "teach that the fullness of the revealed truths and of the means of salvation instituted by Christ is found in the Catholic Church"and also "give a correct and fair presentation of the other Churches and ecclesial communities that the Spirit of Christ does not refrain from using as means of salvation".

They should try to have good relations with catechists and leaders of other denominations, in accord with their Pastors and, when so charged, as their representatives. They should avoid stirring up useless rivalries; should help the faithful to live in harmony with and respect for Christians of other denominations, while fully maintaining their own Catholic identity; and should join other believers in working for peace.