(In)Equality in ecclesial life is often framed primarily in structural or gendered terms, with the Catholic Church offering a clear example, yet its relational implications are equally significant and frequently overlooked. While the contemporary Catholic context provides the starting point for this analysis, the focus is on how internal patterns of inequality shape the conditions of ecumenical encounter. This panel aims to widen the conversation by drawing attention to the underestimated relational dimensions of inequality. Drawing insights from recognition theory, relational ethics, and social psychology, the paper approaches inequality as something that shapes how people encounter one another, for example, whose voices are present, whose experiences are acknowledged, and how trust is built or strained across traditions. Patterns of limited participation or uneven representation create subtle asymmetries that can be felt in ecumenical settings, even when they are not explicitly discussed. These dynamics influence the tone of dialogue, shaping openness, confidence, and the willingness to engage with depth and honesty. The paper also considers how these relational patterns extend into the Church's public presence. A community that speaks about human dignity and justice is expected to reflect these values in its own life, and when this coherence is difficult to sustain, its moral voice in society becomes more fragile. By bringing theological reflection into conversation with interdisciplinary perspectives, this panel proposes a way of understanding inequality through its relational and dialogical consequences. It suggests that the quality of the Church's engagement with other Christian communities and with the wider world is closely connected to how it attends to recognition, participation, and mutual trust within its own life.