Ecumenism Revisted

[goldenchild17]

[quote name='mortify' date='16 November 2009 - 11:48 PM' timestamp='1258436897' post='2004158']
Is there a document that explicitly states the goal of ecumenism is to bring separated brethern into the Catholic Church?
[/quote]

A quick scan of V2's Decree on Ecumenism brought up a few lines I'll post. It does seem to stress the dialogue and understanding part that I think everybody is quick to jump to and which many people (in my opinion) put too much importance on. Not that it isn't important, but it would seem that the dialogue and understanding of other religions should be more appropriately a preface to the actual attempt at conversion. In the Decree on Ecumenism it talks about a "spiritual ecumenism" as a first step in that if we are to ably bring people into the Church we must first change ourselves by being more charitable and living a more holy life. Then there is the dialogue and how it is to remove the obstacles that stand in the way of bring people into the Church, but that the conversion of people to the Church is the actual end and purpose of ecumenism:

"When such actions are undertaken prudently and patiently by the Catholic faithful, with the attentive guidance of their bishops, they promote justice and truth, concord and collaboration, as well as the spirit of brotherly love and unity. This is the way that, when the obstacles to perfect ecclesiastical communion have been gradually overcome, all Christians will at last, in a common celebration of the Eucharist, [b]be gathered into the one and only Church in that unity which Christ bestowed on His Church from the beginning. We believe that this unity subsists in the Catholic Church[/b] as something she can never lose, and we hope that it will continue to increase until the end of time."


Is bringing non-Catholics, even Protestants, the goal of ecumenism? I think so, although this very easily gets overlooked or even ignored quite often in my opinion, but when you look at the source of the teaching of ecumenism the end result that is hoped for is unity within the Catholic Church:

"The Council moreover professes its awareness that human powers and capacities cannot achieve this [b]holy objective-the reconciling of all Christians in the unity of the one and only Church of Christ.[/b] It is because of this that the Council rests all its hope on the prayer of Christ for the Church, on our Father's love for us, and on the power of the Holy Spirit."

Edited November 18, 2009 by goldenchild17

[goldenchild17]

JPII's Ut Unum Sint has an interesting comment regarding the nature of the Church. Many opponents of the new ecumenism argue that it does not intend to bring people into the Catholic Church, but actually aims at taking all of the elements that are good in all faiths and creating some new Church. JPII seems to squash that idea here. Speaking about the elements of salvation (those which constitute the imperfect communion with the Church) he says:

"14. All these elements bear within themselves a tendency towards unity, having their fullness in that unity. [b]It is not a matter of adding together all the riches scattered throughout the various Christian Communities in order to arrive at a Church which God has in mind for the future.[/b] In accordance with the great Tradition, attested to by the Fathers of the East and of the West, the Catholic Church believes that in the Pentecost Event God has already manifested the Church in her eschatological reality, which he had prepared "from the time of Abel, the just one".19 This reality is something already given. Consequently we are even now in the last times. The elements of this already-given Church exist, found in their fullness in the Catholic Church and, without this fullness, in the other Communities,20 where certain features of the Christian mystery have at times been more effectively emphasized. Ecumenism is directed precisely to making the partial communion existing between Christians grow towards full communion in truth and charity."

[goldenchild17]

Again from JPII saying basically the same thing. The goal is not to form a new, better Church from the good elements of all, but to bring them into the Catholic Church which is already that which God intended, since Pentecost:

"It is not merely a matter of gathering up all the spiritual riches scattered throughout the Christian communities, as if in so doing we might arrive at a more perfect Church, the Church God would desire for the future. Instead, it is a question of bringing about fully that Church which God already manifested in her profound reality at Pentecost."

Pope John Paul II General Audience July 12, 1995

[goldenchild17]

mortify, in case you didn't know, that was me over on the thread on fisheaters. Meant to let you know before.

[goldenchild17]

A couple examples from history. At the council of Trent Pope Eugene IV reached out to some of the leaders of the Orthodox churches in an aim at unity:

"Eugenius, bishop, servant of the servants of God, for an everlasting record. It befits us to render thanks to almighty God. … For behold, the western and eastern peoples, who have been separated for long, hasten to enter into a pact of harmony and unity; and those who were justly distressed at the long dissension that kept them apart, at last after many centuries, under the impulse of Him from whom every good gift comes, meet together in person in this place out of desire for holy union."

Pope Eugene says that efforts toward such unity is our obligation:

"We are aware that it is our duty and the duty of the whole church to strain every nerve to ensure that these happy initiatives make progress and have issue through our common care, so that we may deserve to be and to be called co-operators with God."


In regards to how we may address non-Catholics, whether we should use the term heretics or infidels or what-have-you, or if a more respectful terminology may be used, the answer isn't defined in the following statement, but it does give precedent to more respectful language. Eugene IV refers to some of the schismatic Eastern Orthodox patriarchs as son, brother and patriarchs:

"Finally, our most dear son John Palacologus, emperor of the Romans, together with our venerable brother Joseph, patriarch of Constantinople, the apocrisiaries of the other patriarchal sees and a great multitude of archbishops, ecclesiastics and nobles arrived at their last port, Venice, on 8 February last."



In regard to Protestants, and particularly the questionable allowance of them to take part in some Vatican II activities. An example of precedence set might be found at the Council of Trent. Protestants were offered safe passage to the council, to share their views, offers proposals for discussion, etc.

"[b]SAFE-CONDUCT GRANTED TO PROTESTANTS[/b]

The sacred and holy, general Synod of Trent,-lawfully assembled in the Holy Ghost, the same Legate and Nuncios of the holy Apostolic See presiding therein,-grants, as far as regards the holy Synod itself, to all and each one throughout the whole of Germany, whether ecclesiastics or Seculars, of whatsoever degree, estate, condition, quality they be, who may wish to repair to this oecumenical and general Council, the public faith and full security, which they call a safe-conduct, with all and each of the necessary and suitable clauses and decrees, even though they ought to be expressed specifically and not in general terms, and which it is Its wish shall be considered as expressed, so as that they may and shall have it in their power in all liberty to confer, make proposals, and treat on those things which are to be treated of in the said Synod; to come freely and safely to the said oecumenical Council, and there remain and abide, and propose therein, as well in writing as by word of mouth, as many articles as to them shall seem good, and to confer and dispute, without any abuse or contumely, with the Fathers, or with those who may have been selected by the said holy Synod; as also to withdraw whensoever they shall think fit. It hath furthermore seemed good to the holy Synod, that if, for their greater liberty and security, they desire that certain judges be deputed on their behalf, in regard of crimes whether committed, or that may be committed, by them, they shall themselves nominate those who are favourable towards them, even though the said crimes should be ever so enormous and should savour of heresy. "