In a powerful demonstration of unity, a delegation from the Roman Catholic Church and the United Reformed Church (URC) in Britain has made a significant pilgrimage to Rome, embracing the theme of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year: Pilgrims journeying together towards hope.

This historic visit marks the culmination of five years of ecumenical dialogue, during which the group visited diverse ecumenical settings across Britain, including Milton Keynes, Cumbria, Scotland, and Wales. Through these encounters, they deepened relationships and fostered greater collaboration between Christian communities.

Recognising Rome’s significance as both the foundations of Christianity and the divisions that have historically separated denominations, the leaders chose the Eternal City as their final destination — a symbol of their shared commitment to reconciliation. Among those leading the pilgrimage was Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, Parish Priest at Farm Street Church, who brought the Jesuit commitment to ecumenism — rooted in dialogue, education, and social justice — into the group’s discussions.

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ said:

“It’s been a great pleasure to co-lead this ecumenical pilgrimage, the fruit of five years of work on this bilateral dialogue. As a Jesuit, openness to other traditions is part of our way of proceeding. We have learnt so much during these five years about our common mission in the Reformed and Catholic traditions in Britain, and the resource pack is testimony to this. We now go forward to the next stage of our journey together, committed to working with co-responsibility for mission in a constantly changing world”.

At the heart of their visit was the presentation of a ground-breaking resource booklet, designed to guide local congregations in fostering ecumenical partnerships. Already gaining traction through Churches Together in England, the booklet provides practical tools for interdenominational worship, prayer, and shared mission work. In Rome, the group introduced this resource to key institutions, including the Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity, the World Reformed Churches Office, and the British Embassy to the Holy See.

Fr Martin Browne OSB of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity welcomed the initiative, emphasising: “Even though our churches generally have good relationships nowadays, we often don’t know much about each other’s beliefs. The relationship-building this group has modelled, along with their excellent resource, is a wonderful example that could be imitated worldwide.”

The pilgrimage also reflected Pope Francis’ vision of Christian unity, which emphasises a journey of mutual respect, encounter, and service. Pope Francis, himself a Jesuit, has frequently championed ecumenical dialogue, stating that unity among Christians is not about uniformity but rather about walking together in faith and mission.

Beyond institutional meetings, the delegation deepened their understanding of faith-based social action, engaging with Mediterranean Hope—an ecumenical NGO assisting refugees—and the Sant’Egidio Community, which focuses on international peacebuilding and serving the poor. Both encounters highlighted the practical impact of ecumenical unity in addressing global humanitarian challenges.

The pilgrimage concluded with a reflective rail journey back to Britain—part of the delegation’s commitment to sustainable travel. As they returned home, the pilgrims carried renewed hope for the future, inspired by the belief that true Christian unity begins with open hearts, active listening, and a shared commitment to mission.