The difference between «official ecumenism» and «grassroots ecumenism», in the Italian Church is used as a background for underlining the contributions of groups and movements. Contributions which might seem marginal are none the less «history in the making» not «a series of exceptions». There remains the urgent task of abandoning an insignificant ecumenism living in programs and experiences that are parallel to ecclesial communities. Only in this way can one witness to ecumenism as an «appeal of God». As consequences, commitments on the ecumenical front are suggested, ways to «enter the fabrics of witness» in the community, commitments based on a new awareness of the Church’s essence. There is a final call to the three essential characteristics of an «expanding» ecumenical awareness (pp. 95-113).