At the national level, the spirit of ecumenism has produced plenty of talk about interfaith union, but much of the real action is now taking place at the grass roots. In a number of U.S. communities, togetherness has become a reality, as churches of different denominations have cooperated to create new ecumenical parishes. Though it can take any of several forms, the ecumenical parish has behind it a basic conviction that the churches must cast aside their denominational autonomy and pool resources to meet the changing needs of community and religious life.
Most of the nation's...