Minister’s new ecumenical Rome role

A minister has been appointed to strengthen the presence of the Reformed Churches relating to the Vatican and other ecumenical bodies in Rome, and provide spiritual leadership to the Church of Scotland’s congregation in the Italian capital.

The Rev Tara Curlewis will serve in two roles: as the new minister of St Andrew’s Church and as the Reformed Ecumenical Officer for the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).

She said she was looking forward to taking up a calling that is grounded in an international and multicultural congregation and “exercising ministry in an exciting ecumenical setting”.

Ms Curlewis said ecumenism ‘is in her DNA’ and churches are ‘at their best when their voices unite to advocate for shared concerns together’.

The Reformed Ecumenical Officer role will see her develop dialogue, engagement and joint action for peace and justice with ecumenical partners and give momentum to Reformed initiatives in the ecumenical setting.

Ms Curlewis will act as a liaison to support cooperation amongst the WCRC and its member churches, the Waldensian Church, and the Church of Scotland with the Roman Catholic Church, particularly with the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Employed by the Church of Scotland as a Mission Partner on a fixed-term four-year contract, the Uniting Church of Australia minister will also co-operate with the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe, Conference of European Churches and World Council of Churches.

She will also engage with the British and Australian Ambassadors to the Holy See and other members of the diplomatic corps.

The Rev Ian Alexander, who leads on International Partnerships for the Church of Scotland, said: “The co-operation with WCRC and the Waldensian Church in appointing a Reformed Ecumenical Officer is a significant step for the Church of Scotland and the broader Reformed movement. Tara Curlewis brings to the role a history of engagement and action within the Uniting Church of Australia and the National Council of Churches of Australia in building relationships with international ecumenical bodies.

“It is a good fit, relating to the Vatican and the other world communions with representatives based in Rome.

“The congregation of St Andrew’s has been vacant for a number of years and will be glad to have a permanent minister to work with them and share in their ministry amongst the English-speaking community in Rome, and reaching out in service.”