Jump to content
An Old School Catholic Message Board

Benefits Of Ecumenism


mortify

Recommended Posts

What are the benefits of Ecumenical dialogue and what has the Church gained from it?

 

 

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVBRaAGPGVs[/media]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think ecumenical dialogue between the ancient Apostolic Churches is a good thing generally speaking, because it can lead to cooperation on issues of common interest (i.e., the defense of the moral norm).  While ecumenical dialogue with most Protestant groups is pointless. For example: Why continue ecumenical dialogue with the Anglican Churhes? They ordain women, and are diverging from the moral tradition of the Ancient Church, which makes it impossible - practically speaking - for communion to be restored with them, or the other Protestant sects as a whole.

 

As far as inter-religious dialogue is concerned, it is of limited value, since its only on trying to maintain peaceful relations in societies with diverse religious populations. Moreover, inter-religious dialogue must never become an excuse for not fulfilling the Great Commission. Preaching the Gospel and bring people to faith in Christ is the Church's primary mission.

Edited by Apotheoun
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you disagree with the video?

I see no reason to disagree with the video. After all it is less than a minute long and contains little substantive content.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some Anglican ecumenical dialogue led to the restoration of the Anglicans in the Church.

The basic idea behind ecumenism is that the state of Christianity today is not what Christ intended and is wrong. We bear responsibility for it if we do nothing to repair it, so ecumenism is one part of that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some Anglican ecumenical dialogue led to the restoration of the Anglicans in the Church.

. . .

Actually you are talking about dialogue with dissident Anglicans (i.e., traditionalists who rejected the changes going on in the Anglican Communion). Dialogue with the Anglican Communion itself (i.e., not the dissident groups) is pointless.

Edited by Apotheoun
Link to comment
Share on other sites

To be blunt, what Catholic in his right mind would want to be in communion with the Episcopal Church USA?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

. . .


The basic idea behind ecumenism is that the state of Christianity today is not what Christ intended and is wrong. We bear responsibility for it if we do nothing to repair it, so ecumenism is one part of that.

I am all for dialogue with the ancient Apostolic Churches, because it could help to bring about cooperation, but not necessarily restore communion, between the Catholic Churches (Roman and Eastern) and the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So the aim is cooperation, not union right? 

The aim of ecumenical dialogue will vary depending upon the interests of the participant. Some may be looking for union (e.g., the Roman Catholic Church), while others may only be looking for cooperation (e.g., the Russian Orthodox Church).

Edited by Apotheoun
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anastasia13

The aim of ecumenical dialogue will vary depending upon the interests of the participant. Some may be looking for union (e.g., the Roman Catholic Church), while others may only be looking for cooperation (e.g., the Russian Orthodox Church).

Although a few Catholic documents I read on the Vatican website, at least at a committee's suggestion level would say that there should be cooperation with the Orthodox to evangelize places where Christianity has been repressed do to say the religiously intolerant USSR. So cooperation can/should be desired both ways if the Gospel is truly the most important thing (and if it is not the most important thing, then someone needs to explain that to me).

Edited by Light and Truth
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Of course the Vatican is not opposed to cooperation, but its ultimate goal is reunion. The Russian Orthodox Church does not share that ultimate goal, that is, unless major doctrinal changes are made by Rome.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...