2 general types of ecumenism come discernable. A interfaith ecumenical movement strives for greater reciprocal respect, toleration, & co-operation among the world religions. Ecumenism in that feel is discussed at awesome length under a entry in religious pluralism. This is distinct from either ecumenism in the faith-class action.

One of the crucial theorist of ecumenism was a French priest and theologian Yves Congar.

Ecumenical council
In the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches an ecumenical council is that of nearly all bishops of the whole church, capable of infallible decisions on theological questions. For a Roman Catholic Church the valid ecumenical council would exist as formed by the meeting of the bishops world health organization come within communion by owning the Pope & summoned by him for that purpose. Eastern Orthodoxy construes it when including single, & by owning a consent of tons of, a Orthodox which, it contend, since a Great Schism, consists of only a Eastern Orthodox; they call for a Patriarch of Constantinople the "Ecumenical Patriarch" and "first among equals": he has jurisdiction in his patriarchate and in victims more area of the globe forgoing a second patriarch.

The World Council of Churches is an ecumenical council of representatives from virtually all Protestant and Orthodox churches worldwide, with observers from either a Holy See. It strives for globe Christian unity & action, especially by having regard to globe relief organizations & messages of faith. Ecumenism occurs as movement at first amonst Protestant Churches towards the reunion of Christians. A select few area of the Orthodox Church participate in the W.C.C. Since a Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)(see Unitatis Redintegratio) a Roman Catholic Church has participated in the Ecumenical Movement though it has non joined the W.C.C. A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which also believes itself to become authentic & universal, has non joined the World Council of Churches either.