In such dialogue, everyone gains a truer knowledge and more just appreciation of the teaching and religious life of both Communions. From: Unitatis Redintegratio (Chapter 1: Catholic Principles on Ecumenism, No. The latter have recently come to the fore and have created problems within both the Ecclesial Communities of the Reformation and relations between them and the Catholic Church. 25 Cf. At these meetings, which are organized in a religious spirit, each explains the teaching of his Communion in greater depth and brings out clearly its distinctive features. Unity in the sense of full communio does not mean uniformity, but unity in diversity and diversity in unity. It is hardly surprising, then, if from time to time one tradition has come nearer to a full appreciation of some aspects of a mystery of revelation than the other, or has expressed it to better advantage. These Churches, although separated from us, yet possess true sacraments and above all, by apostolic succession, the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are linked with us in closest intimacy. 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. Every renewal of the Church[27] is essentially grounded in an increase of fidelity to her own calling. Online piracy needs to be dealt with itself, because people are just wholesale stealing people's work and not paying for it. [10] Among their number He selected Peter, and after his confession of faith determined that on him He would build His Church. Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio Introduction 1. cit., 214-217. This concern extends to everyone, according to his talent, whether it be exercised in his daily Christian life or in his theological and historical research. The Council moreover professes its awareness that human powers and capacities cannot achieve this holy objective - the reconciling of all Christians in the unity of the one and only Church of Christ. In addition, the way is prepared for cooperation between them in the duties for the common good of humanity which are demanded by every Christian conscience; and, wherever this is allowed, there is prayer in common. In recent times more than ever before, He has been rousing divided Christians to remorse over their divisions and to a longing for unity. In such cases, these various theological expressions are to be considered often as mutually complementary rather than conflicting. 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. There can be no ecumenism worthy of the name without a change of heart. Volume 2 (Unitatis redintegratio, Christus Dominus, Perfectae caritatis, Optatam totius) Volume 3 (Nostra aetate, Dei Verbum, Apostolicam actuositatem) Volume 4 (Gravissimum educationis, Dignitatis humanae, Ad gentes. [15] Cf. Ricezione e attualit alla luce del Giubileo, ed. | Contact Us Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 22). The words of St. John hold good about sins against unity: "If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us". Copyright 2023 Famous Quotes & Sayings. [17] Cf. "Where'd you go on us? The Decree on Ecumenism does not consider the separated Churches and Ecclesial Communities as entities that have preserved a residue of elements of varying degrees and according to each case, but as integral entities that shed light on these elements within their overall ecclesiological concept. This phrase suggests a quantitative, almost materialistic, dimension, as though it were possible to quantify or count all the elements, checking to see whether their numbers were complete. Unitatis Redintegratio, nn. Unitatis Redintegratio is Vatican II's Decree on Ecumenism. Spiritual ecumenism means interior conversion, spiritual renewal, the personal sanctification of life, charity, self-denial, humility, patience, but also renewal and reform of the Church. 2, 18-19. All Catholics must therefore aim at Christian perfection[24] and, each according to his station, play his part that the Church may daily be more purified and renewed. It was passed by a vote of 2,137 to 11 of the bishops assembled at the Council, and was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 21 November 1964. This change of heart and holiness of life, along with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical movement, and merits the name, spiritual ecumenism., It is a recognized custom for Catholics to have frequent recourse to that prayer for the unity of the Church which the Saviour Himself on the eve of His death so fervently appealed to His Father: That they may all be one. VI (1439), Definitio Laetentur caeli: Mansi 31 1026 E. Copyright 2018-2022, Vatican City State, Catholic Committee for Cultural Collaboration, Collaboration for the diffusion of the Bible, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, The Ecumenical Dimension in the Formation of those Engaged in Pastoral Work, The Bishop and Christian Unity: An Ecumenical Vademecum, Suggestions for the organization of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews (CRRJ), ILC (International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee), Dialogue between Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the Great Rabbinate of Israel. VIII (1439), Decretum Exultate Deo: Mansi 31, 1055 A. CONC. Decree on Ecumenism ( Unitatis Redintegratio) made a careful distinction between spiritual ecumenism, mainly prayer and the practice of virtue, and practical ecumenism, which actively fosters Christian reunion. Everywhere large numbers have felt the impulse of this grace, and among our separated brethren also there increases from day to day the movement, fostered by the grace of the Holy Spirit, for the restoration of unity among all Christians. . Their ecumenical action must be fully and sincerely Catholic, that is to say, faithful to the truth which we have received from the apostles and Fathers of the Church, in harmony with the faith which the Catholic Church has always professed, and at the same time directed toward that fullness to which Our Lord wills His Body to grow in the course of time. 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. However, "very weighty differences" exist, "not only of a historical, sociological, psychological and cultural character, but especially in the interpretation of revealed truth" (Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 19). The Council knew that the Church journeys on through history to bring to fruition in history what her deepest nature actually is ("est "). Everyone also knows with what great love the Christians of the East celebrate the sacred liturgy, especially the eucharistic celebration, source of the Church's life and pledge of future glory, in which the faithful, united with their bishop, have access to God the Father through the Son, the Word made flesh, Who suffered and has been glorified, and so, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they enter into communion with the most holy Trinity, being made sharers of the divine nature. but we can pray with non-Catholics in the sense of praying "in their presence.". 4, 7, 12, 49; Apostolicam Actuositatem, n. 3; Ad Gentes nn. I, Paris, 1967, 119. 1, 4). 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. The goal of this chapter is to capture some of these highlights and trace the post-conciliar legacy of Unitatis Redintegratio ( UR ), pointing to areas in which its teaching has been fruitfully received as well as calling attention to aspects of the document that still await full reception as we approach the five-hundredth anniversary of the 3 On its part, article 18 ofthe Directoryforthe Application ofPrinciples and Norms on Ecumenism identifies some factors that necessitate the . . Moreover, in the East are found the riches of those spiritual traditions which are given expression especially in monastic life. On several occasions the Pope has said that the ecumenical venture is irrevocable (cf. Similarly it must not be forgotten that from the beginning the Churches of the East have had a treasury from which the Western Church has drawn extensively - in liturgical practice, spiritual tradition, and law. Nothing is so foreign to the spirit of ecumenism as a false irenicism, in which the purity of Catholic doctrine suffers loss and its genuine and certain meaning is clouded. [35] Hence, through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in each of these churches, the Church of God is built up and grows in stature[36] and through concelebration, their communion with one another is made manifest. Unitatis Redintegratio Quotes. 14. But the Lord of Ages wisely and patiently follows out the plan of grace on our behalf, sinners that we are. All Rights Reserved. Catholics, who already have a proper grounding, need to acquire a more adequate understanding of the respective doctrines of our separated brethren, their history, their spiritual and liturgical life, their religious psychology and general background. 1. The Council integrated the ecumenical movement into this eschatological dynamic. 7 reviews Get A Copy Amazon Stores Published (first published June 1st 2014) More Details. Catholics, in their ecumenical work, must assuredly be concerned for their separated brethren, praying for them, keeping them informed about the Church, making the first approaches toward them. With the Toronto Declaration (1950) it also entered into the language of the World Council of Churches. Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 17).20 It therefore declared that "this entire heritage of spirituality and liturgy, of discipline and theology, in the various traditions, belongs to the full catholic and apostolic character of the Church" (Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 17).21. All the faithful should remember that the more effort they make to live holier lives according to the Gospel, the better will they further Christian unity and put it into practice. The Declaration Dominus Iesus (cf. D.H. Lawrence, Every moment is precious, even the ones behind me that I often reflect upon with a reserved smile. I make corrections only after I have proved to the individual that I highly value him. Consequently, "subsistit in" is erroneously interpreted when it is made the basis of pluralism or ecclesiological relativism, asserting that the one and only Church of Christ subsists in numerous Churches and that the Catholic Church is merely one Church alongside others. Today, in many parts of the world, under the inspiring grace of the Holy Spirit, many efforts are being made in prayer, word and action to attain that fullness of unity which Jesus . But we rejoice to see that our separated brethren look to Christ as the source and center of Church unity. 28, 18-20, collato Jn. It is significant that the term "dialogue" is repeated like a refrain at the end of the various parts of this section of the Decree (cf. 26, 28). Nor must we undervalue the fact that it was the ecumenical councils held in the East that defined the basic dogmas of the Christian faith, on the Trinity, on the Word of God Who took flesh of the Virgin Mary. Free shipping for many products! We can also say that the essence of unity conceived as communio is catholicity in its original meaning which is not confessional but qualitative; it means the fulfilment of all the gifts that the particular and confessional Churches can bring. All of these, which come from Christ and lead back to Christ, belong by right to the one Church of Christ. Unitatis Redintegratio, nn. The ecumenical movement discards nothing that has so far been precious and important for the Church or in her history; it stays faithful to the truth recognized and defined as such in history and adds nothing that is new. But Sacred Scriptures provide for the work of dialogue an instrument of the highest value in the mighty hand of God for the attainment of that unity which the Saviour holds out to all. Above all, prayer is the heart of the ecumenical movement (cf. This close identification of the Church of Jesus Christ with the Catholic Church is present, for example, in the Encyclicals Mystici Corporis (1943) and Humani Generis (1950).8, However, Mystici Corporis also recognizes that there are persons who, while they may not be baptized, belong to the Catholic Church because they so desire (cf. Ecumenism, therefore, is a new beginning, inspired and guided by the Spirit of God (cf. 23 We cite especially the Lima Document: "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry" (1982), the documents of ARCIC with the Anglican Communion, the documents of convergence with the Lutherans ("The Eucharist", "Spiritual Ministry in the Church", etc. At the same time, the Catholic faith must be explained more profoundly and precisely, in such a way and in such terms as our separated brethren can also really understand. LATERANENSE IV (1215) Constitutio IV: Mansi 22. 10. Lumen Gentium, n. 8; Unitatis Redintegratio, nn. 6 Overview in Synopsis historica, edited by G. Alberigo-F. Magistretti, Bologna, 1975, 38; 439 ff. 13 On the notion of "the structures of sin", cf. Other divisions arose more than four centuries later in the West, stemming from the events which are usually referred to as The Reformation. As a result, many Communions, national or confessional, were separated from the Roman See. Before the whole world let all Christians confess their faith in the triune God, one and three in the incarnate Son of God, our Redeemer and Lord. 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. I also try to never make it personal. From the outset, East and West accepted the same Gospel in different ways and developed their liturgy, spirituality, theology and canon law along different lines. 24 M. Luther, De captivitate Babylonica ecclesiae praeludium (1520): WA 560 ff. Taken from: L'Osservatore Romano Weekly Edition in English 1 December 2004, page 8. Whereas with the split between East and West the ecclesial structure that had developed basically since the second century remained the same, with the Communities born from the Reformation we face a different ecclesial type.18. Tertio Millennio Adveniente, n. 18). In other words, the Council gave fresh importance to the eschatological dimension, showing that the Church is not a static but a dynamic reality, that she is the People of God on pilgrimage between the "already" and the "not yet". This formulation of the ecumenical problem is the Council's most important theological contribution to the ecumenical question. 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. The Council candidly acknowledges that there are obstacles to full communion with the Catholic Church, caused by differences in doctrine, discipline, and ecclesiology. Because of the existing differences, the Council urged the faithful to abstain from any frivolous or rash zeal. Ecumenical Quotes. 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. 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. 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. To her own calling be considered often as mutually complementary rather than conflicting expressions are to be with! Deo: Mansi 31, 1055 A. CONC back to Christ, belong by right to the one Church Christ... 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