No Turning Back: The Future of Ecumenism

Jesus' prayer on behalf of his of followers is "that all may be one. As you, Father are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us" (John 17:21). No Turning Back illustrates significant developments in ecumenism during the thirty-plus years of ecumenical theologian Margaret O'Gara's own engagement in ecumenical dialogue. This collection of selected papers from the final fifteen years of O'Gara's work before her untimely death in 2012 aims to illustrate the broad lines of ecumenism for general readers to share concrete details of recent ecumenical developments with specialist readers to encourage both groups of readers in their commitment to the pursuit of full communion among the Christian churches An invaluable resource for academic and ecclesial specialists in ecumenism, teachers and students of theology and religious studies, Christian ministers, and all educated Christian adults who take seriously Jesus' prayer "that all may be one."

About the Author :
Margaret O'Gara was born in Chicago in 1947. She completed undergraduate studies at Trinity College, Washington, DC; master's studies at Yale Divinity School; and doctoral studies at the University of St. Michael's College, Toronto. For thirty-six years she was a member of the Faculty of Theology at St. Michael's. During that time she also served on six different ecumenical dialogues. She died in 2012 after suffering from cancer for two years.

Review :
"No Turning Back" introduces readers to the spirit of ecumenism-Margaret O'Gara's spirit-which shines through even the more technical essays here. It is a spirit of warm friendship across lines of historical suspicion, creative persistence in search of fresh understandings, and even (dare I say it?) fun! Prof. Gerald W. Schlabach University of Saint Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota Co-Founder, Bridgefolk During the eight years I was privileged to be Margaret O'Gara's colleague in Canada, I experienced her deep passion for Christian unity and her relentless pursuit of it through theological research, ecumenical dialogue, and (not least) humble prayer. I am convinced that readers of No Turning Back will experience something of what I did. Prof. Pablo Argarate Institute for Ecumenical Theology, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Patristics University of Graz, Austria The first part will be especially valuable for students of ecumenism looking for guidance. The essays and addresses in the second part provide profound insight into how Margaret understood her calling to serve the church in the work of Christian unity from within her Catholic home. No Turning Back provides a picture of Margaret O'Gara, a model ecumenist, at her best. Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. Professor of Church History and Ecumenics Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California This fine book will bring the new participant in ecumenical dialogue up to date on page after page. Embodying decades of profound theological scholarship, it will augment the wisdom of the veteran. And its committed inclusiveness reflects the Lord whose crucified arms embrace everyone and whose dereliction finds no one God-forsaken. Rev. Victor Shepherd Tyndale University College and Seminary, Toronto Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada, 2008-present We are in the presence of an ecumenical theologian par excellence, a veteran dialogue partner, and a brilliant educator: insistently hermeneutical, yet keeping the whole in view, finding the secret Scripture in ancient formula, dissenting voice, and dangerous memory. Prof. Geraldine Smyth, OP Irish School of Ecumenics Trinity College, Dublin With personal gentleness and profound conviction, Margaret demonstrated ecumenical imagination in searching for new insights on lingering issues of division. She was persistent in the quest for ways to reflect more deeply the unity that we have been granted in Christ through baptism. She recognized that the unity of the church is not ours to create. It is a gift. Rev. Lowell G. Almen Secretary, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 1987-2007 U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue, 1998-present Reflected in this collection of articles and addresses by Margaret O'Gara is an exciting vision of God's calling to the visible unity of the church in our world today. "No Turning Back" challenges all churches to take seriously Jesus' prayer "that they may all be one" (John 17:21): not as a burden, but as a gift to be received and shared and celebrated. This book will serve to keep alive Margaret's deep commitments to an ecumenism that is grounded in theological integrity, honest dialogue, abiding prayer, and (most significantly) personal friendships. Robert K. Welsh, President, Council on Christian Unity and Ecumenical Officer, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada Since Margaret O'Gara had the unique opportunity of participating, over a period of decades, in several official international and national dialogues, an experience relatively few others have had, her interpretations of some of the achievements of these dialogues, as well as the further insights to ecumenical progress she garners when comparing several dialogues, constitute a most valuable aspect of this book. O'Gara, with a profound commitment to Christian unity, recognizes that renewal within the divided churches is a key to ecumenical progress and, with deep Catholic convictions, does not hesitate to give her views concerning areas in which renewal must be explored in the Catholic Church. These essays comprise an important collection for showing those devoted to the future of ecumenism some significant steps toward Christian unity already taken and the dedication that is necessary as the movement continues. John A. Radano, Seton Hall University