Ecumenical commitment remains strong in Brittany


The Revd John Marvel, a retired priest with Permission to Officiate in France, has been involved with local  local French clergy, Roman Catholic and Protestant for the last eleven years in preparing and carrying our the activities of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. For the last three years he has been the co-ordinator and organiser. This year unity services in this part of Northern France were held in Dinard and St Malo.

Ecumenical work in the region is well organised and is led by the Groupement Oecuménique, a body registered with the Préfecture. (French laws of laïcité are very strict about church group activities). This group, consisting of both lay and clergy, has monthly meetings and bible studies. Fr Marvel has just stepped down from being chairman. We commend Fr John for his ecumenical work and commitment over many years which has nurtured a deep sense of unity among Christians in the region.

The photo above is of the final blessing at a service in St Malo, left to right, the Revd John Marvel, Père Jolivet (RC), Pasteur Fievet et Pasteur Eleonore Leveille Belutaud (Eglise Reformée). Another RC priest, Père Drougard was busy at the organ. The Revd Gareth Randall, priest-in-charge of St Bartholomew's Dinard, read the Gospel (below).


St Bartholomew's Dinard has a website here.

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