Transferring this concept of unity to the ecumenical problem, the ecumenical unity to which we are aspiring means something more than a network of confessional Churches which, by entering into the communion of the Eucharist and of the pulpit, mutually recognize one another. What has revealed the love of God among us is that the Father has sent into the world His only-begotten Son, so that, being made man, He might by His redemption give new life to the entire human race and unify it. Unitatis Redintegratio Quotes. Joseph Ratzinger given by Dr. Schler in his book Benedict XVI and the Church's View of Itself," showed how the young theologian in the 1960's thought entirely along the lines of golden coins in or out of the heap. ; Ut Unum Sint, n. 66), and in part also of moral issues (cf. The eschaton does not in fact refer to a future reality that is located outside history. 15-17). Now that we have briefly set out the conditions for ecumenical action and the principles by which it is to be directed, we look with confidence to the future. Leo XIII and Benedict XV paved the way for ecumenical openness. We thank God that many Eastern children of the Catholic Church, who preserve this heritage, and wish to express it more faithfully and completely in their lives, are already living in full communion with their brethren who follow the tradition of the West. Unitatis Redintegratio, however, did not stop there. It seemed the sleep with the woman in his arms was the only necessity. I seldom look back, only forward in anticipation of the next greater now. 18, 36, 79). 6 Overview in Synopsis historica, edited by G. Alberigo-F. Magistretti, Bologna, 1975, 38; 439 ff. Unitatis Redintegratio: A New Interpretation After 40 Years, Cardinal Walter KasperPresident of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, 'UNITATIS REDINTEGRATIO', VATICAN II'S DECREE ON ECUMENISM. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. [7] It is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in those who believe and pervading and ruling over the Church as a whole, who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful. They contemplate in the Scriptures the life of Christ and what the Divine Master taught and did for our salvation, especially the mysteries of His death and resurrection. Edit Details Baptism, therefore, envisages a complete profession of faith, complete incorporation in the system of salvation such as Christ willed it to be, and finally complete ingrafting in eucharistic communion. 1. Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 14). Whatever is truly Christian is never contrary to what genuinely belongs to the faith; indeed, it can always bring a deeper realization of the mystery of Christ and the Church. In an Instruction of 1950, he expressly supported the ecumenical movement, emphasizing that it originated in the action of the Holy Spirit, and went on to publish a series of innovative Encyclicals. These most certainly can truly engender a life of grace in ways that vary according to the condition of each Church or Community. cit., 119; A. Grillmeier, LThK, Vat. All rights reserved. Dogmatic laxism leads to the refusal to recognize the essence of the Church's eschatological dimension. LATERANSE V, Sess. The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council. The path of ecumenism is not a journey towards the unknown. To the extent that we are united to Christ, we will all be united to one another as well, and will actuate in all its fullness the catholicity proper to the Church. During the Council, "subsistit in" replaced the pre-existing "est".6 This contains in nuce the whole of the ecumenical problem.7, The "est" affirmed that the Church of Jesus Christ "is" the Catholic Church. Ricezione e attualit alla luce del Giubileo, ed. Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only. However, since these Churches and ecclesial Communities, on account of their different origins, and different teachings in matters of doctrine on the spiritual life, vary considerably not only with us, but also among themselves, the task of describing them at all adequately is extremely difficult; and we have no intention of making such an attempt here. In this eschatological perspective, the ecumenical movement is closely connected to the missionary movement. [22] Cf. The children who are born into these Communities and who grow up believing in Christ cannot be accused of the sin involved in the separation, and the Catholic Church embraces upon them as brothers, with respect and affection. This formulation of the ecumenical problem is the Council's most important theological contribution to the ecumenical question. The Sacred Council gladly notes all this. United in their efforts, and with mutual respect, let them bear witness to our common hope which does not play us false. They derive their strength too from the living tradition of the apostles and from the works of the Fathers and spiritual writers of the Eastern Churches. Most valuable for this purpose are meetings of the two sides - especially for discussion of theological problems - where each can treat with the other on an equal footing - provided that those who take part in them are truly competent and have the approval of the bishops. It is impossible to explain here the complex historical issues connected with the problem or the current possibilities of the reinterpretation and re-acceptance of the dogmas promulgated by the First Vatican Council. Profundizando en cuestiones planteadas desde la encclica Ut unun sint, el decreto Unitatis Redintegratio, el Directorio para aplicacin de normas de ecumenismo y el Vademcum ecumnico "los obispos y la #unidaddeloscristianos " John Wooden, All hopes of eternity and all gain from the past he would have given to have her there, to be wrapped warm with him in one blanket, and sleep, only sleep. 19. Unitatis Redintegratio, nn. 8, 15; Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 3; Ut Unum Sint, nn. 26, 28). Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 3).16 From this distinction derives the fact that ecumenism does not aim to create associations but to achieve communio, which means neither reciprocal absorption nor fusion." 3) "For it is only through Christ's Catholic Church, which is "the all-embracing means of salvation," that they can benefit fully from the means of salvation. 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. Jn 16:13), revealing to us ceaselessly the Gospel that has been handed on to us once and for all, helping us to grow in our understanding of the truth revealed once and for all (cf. [2] Cf. Their longing for union with Christ inspires them to seek an ever closer unity, and also to bear witness to their faith among the peoples of the earth. In the great upheaval which began in the West toward the end of the Middle Ages, and in later times too, Churches and ecclesial Communities came to be separated from the Apostolic See of Rome. The Weekly Edition in English is published for the US by: The Cathedral Foundation L'Osservatore Romano English Edition 320 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201 Subscriptions: (410) 547-5315 Fax: (410) 332-1069 lormail@catholicreview.org, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. Lumen Gentium, nn. Moreover, in ecumenical dialogue, Catholic theologians standing fast by the teaching of the Church and investigating the divine mysteries with the separated brethren must proceed with love for the truth, with charity, and with humility. Tradues em contexto de "Uniti" en italiano-portugus da Reverso Context : Uniti de asisten social (Unit di assistenza sociale) [38] Cf. The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council" (n. 1). Given in Rome at St. Peter's, November 21, 1964. 16 The distinction is not yet clearly made in the terminology of the Conciliar texts. 36 and 50). Protestants do not want to be Church in the way the Catholic Church desires herself to be; they represent another kind of Church and for this reason, according to the criterion of Catholic identity, they are not a Church in the proper sense. For men who believe in Christ and have been truly baptized are in communion with the Catholic Church even though this communion is imperfect. All of these, which come from Christ and lead back to Christ, belong by right to the one Church of Christ. Pius XII went a step further. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. Thus the way will be opened by which through fraternal rivalry all will be stirred to a deeper understanding and a clearer presentation of the unfathomable riches of Christ.[34]. Cooperation among Christians vividly expresses the relationship which in fact already unites them, and it sets in clearer relief the features of Christ the Servant. 4, 29). Ecumenism: expression of the Church's eschatological dynamic. 16, 15. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity addressed this theme in detail at its Plenary Assembly in 2001. 5-8); Ut Unum Sint, nn. On the basis of the one common Baptism, ecumenism goes far beyond mere benevolence and simple friendship; it is not a form of ecclesial diplomacy but has an ontological foundation and an ontological depth; it is an event of the Spirit. When comparing doctrines with one another, they should remember that in Catholic doctrine there exists a hierarchy of truths, since they vary in their relation to the fundamental Christian faith. gentle in the service of others, and to have an attitude of brotherly generosity towards them. For many centuries the Church of the East and that of the West each followed their separate ways though linked in a brotherly union of faith and sacramental life; the Roman See by common consent acted as guide when disagreements arose between them over matters of faith or discipline. The Council asserted no new doctrine but introduced a new attitude, the renouncement of triumphalism, and formulated the traditional understanding of her identity in a way that is realistic, historically concrete and, one might add, even humble. Thus they promote the right ordering of Christian life and, indeed, pave the way to a full vision of Christian truth. No. VI (1439), Definitio Laetentur caeli: Mansi 31, 1026 E. [27] Cf. Because of the existing differences, the Council urged the faithful to abstain from any frivolous or rash zeal. It is an event of the Holy Spirit who guides the Church into all the truth in accordance with the Lord's promise (cf. A love and reverence of Sacred Scripture which might be described as devotion, leads our brethren to a constant meditative study of the sacred text. For this reason the Holy Council urges all, but especially those who intend to devote themselves to the restoration of full communion hoped for between the Churches of the East and the Catholic Church, to give due consideration to this special feature of the origin and growth of the Eastern Churches, and to the character of the relations which obtained between them and the Roman See before separation. Peter T. King. 34 ff., 83 ff.). It is most important that future shepherds and priests should have mastered a theology that has been carefully worked out in this way and not polemically, especially with regard to those aspects which concern the relations of separated brethren with the Catholic Church. For, according to Catholic belief, the authentic teaching authority of the Church has a special place in the interpretation and preaching of the written word of God. But we live in a very un-ideal world. On the other hand, the separate Communities have sometimes developed certain aspects of the revealed truth better, so that in the situation of division, the Catholic Church cannot fully and concretely develop her own catholicity (cf. ), Il ministero petrino. Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 23). 3, 7, 11, 23, 26). The Church herself is an eschatological phenomenon; unity, her essential feature, is therefore not a distant, future goal but is precisely an eschatological goal; the Church is already "Una Sancta Ecclesia" (Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 4; Ut Unum Sint, nn. The Decree on Ecumenism did not appear out of thin air. Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 47; Lumen Gentium, nn. FLORENTINUM, Sess. [2] Before offering Himself up as a spotless victim upon the altar, Christ prayed to His Father for all who believe in Him: that they all may be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, so that the world may believe that thou has sent me. Is it ideal? 990; CONC. The Council, therefore, spoke of relations between local Churches as between Sister Churches (cf. Catholics therefore are earnestly recommended to avail themselves of the spiritual riches of the Eastern Fathers which lift up the whole man to the contemplation of the divine. Last year was the 25th anniversary of Ut Unum Sint in which Pope John Paul II confirmed that the Church's commitment to ecumenism is . FLORENTINUM, Sess. Furthermore, the Church herself finds it more difficult to express in actual life her full catholicity in all her bearings. This concern itself reveals already to some extent the bond of brotherhood between all Christians and it helps toward that full and perfect unity which God in His kindness wills. Such prayers in common are certainly an effective means of obtaining the grace of unity, and they are a true expression of the ties which still bind Catholics to their separated brethren. Finally, all are led to examine their own faithfulness to Christ's will for the Church and accordingly to undertake with vigor the task of renewal and reform. As a spiritual movement, the ecumenical movement does not uproot Tradition. CONC. Cf. This Sacred Council is gratified to note that the participation by the Catholic faithful in ecumenical work is growing daily. What has just been said about the lawful variety that can exist in the Church must also be taken to apply to the differences in theological expression of doctrine. 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