Ecumenism intro aurora deanery
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Transcript of Ecumenism intro aurora deanery
That All May One: Ecumenism & Why It Matters for Catholics
Joyce DonahueCatechetical Associate
Diocese of Joliet Religious Education Office
One Lord, One Faith, One BaptismWe began as one Church of the Apostles
“Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only.” (Decree on Ecumenism 1)
Any person baptized in the name of the Trinity is our fellow Christian
ScriptureIt is Jesus’s desire that we be ONE. At the Last Supper,
he said:
“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20-23)
Acts 2 – the original unity
First DivisionEast-West Schism – culture clash,
disagreement over Crusades and doctrine, especially the wording of the Creed (“filioque”) – 1054 AD
Second DivisionProtestant Reformation in West further split
the Roman Church – started as disagreement about doctrine and perceived “abuses” in the Church
EcumenismNot the same as Inter-FaithFrom the Greek word
oikoumene) meaning the whole inhabited earth. It is used by Christians to designate universal, or the whole Christian community worldwide, thus ecumenical councils.
Visible, but imperfect unityAll Christians are still one worldwide
“family” – unified by baptism and belief in Christ
We just don’t all come to the same table – it’s a bit like a family feud, but we are still family
What is our goal?Long-term goal is full, visible unity and
communionShort-term goal is acceptance,
understanding, a dialogue of love and truthWe do not need to compromise on our
differences, but to understand themWe do not need to make everyone Roman
Catholic(Non-Catholic Christians don’t need to
“convert” – they are already Christians)
Why is unity important?Christians need to speak with one voice to
the culture. Our evangelization would be more effective.
“The more we keep apart from each other as Christians of different confessions, the ‘less convincing’ will the face of a renewed humanity seem to our contemporaries.“ (Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Oct. 2012 Intervention at the Synod of Bishops, Rome)
Responsibility of all
"The concern for restoring unity involves the whole Church, faithful and clergy alike. It extends to everyone, according to the talent of each...”
(Decree on Ecumenism)
AttitudesWhat do we call “them”?NOT “separated brethren” NOT even “non-Catholics”
BUT
“Fellow Christians” (John Paul II)“Christians of other Churches”
Pope John Paul II & Archbishop of Canterbury sign Joint Declaration
Pope Benedict XVI with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople
Pope Francis & Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople
Dialogues – how unity is fosteredRespectful listeningExploration of points of
agreementSeeking to understand
areas of disagreement but not avoiding them
Who are we in dialogue with?
Example: Lutheran
What we share – Real Presence
Joint Agreement on the Doctrine of Justification (1999)All believers are justified (freed from sin and
death) by faith aloneGood works are our necessary response to
salvation (we do not do good works to “earn” our salvation – that is Pelagianism – a heresy that says humans save themselves by their own efforts)
Significance: misunderstanding of this – on both sides – was one of the key causes of the Lutheran Reformation
Documents to Know AboutDecree on Ecumenism – Unitatis
Redintegratio (1964)Directory on Ecumenism (1967, 1970)
Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (1993),
Ut Unum Sint (1995) John Paul II
The Ecumenical Dimension in the Formation of Pastoral Workers (1998).
Catechism of the Catholic ChurchCCC 811-822 “The Church is One”
Now – the “so what”
Prayer, worship & hospitalityIt is always appropriate to pray
and to share Christian service or advocacy for justice with fellow Christians
It is appropriate to make them feel welcome at weddings, funerals and other Catholic events
We should be sensitive about helping them understand that we cannot offer them reception of the Eucharist, but that we hope to be able to do that someday.
EucharistCatholics should generally not receive
communion at a non-Catholic Church Protestant Christians, in exceptional
circumstances, may receive if they ask and it is discerned there is an appropriate sense of need.
Eastern Catholics (but not Orthodox) may receive at Roman churches
Orthodox may receive in cases of need, but most of their churches do not permit them to participate in a Catholic Eucharist.
Pastoral decisions for particular occasions may trump all the rules.
Scripture StudyJoint scripture study with mainline
Protestant Churches is fine, as long as Catholic participants understand that Catholic interpretation includes Church teaching and how a scripture passage is used in the Church as part of the meaning.
Joint scripture study with Evangelical fundamentalist Christians is not a good idea – because Catholic interpretation is much different.
Inter-church marriagesWe need better pastoral care and
understanding when dealing with couples in inter-church marriages – from marriage preparation through the life of the marriage
When such a couple brings a child for Catholic sacraments, pastoral listening, respect and welcome are appropriate
RCIA – Candidates for Full CommunionThey are already Christians – National
Statutes for RCIA specify they are NOT to be treated like the unbaptized.
Formation for Christians active in other Churches may not need to take a full year – should be customized to the individual’s prior experience.
They should never be included in rituals meant for the unbaptized, but should stand with the initiated Catholics .
The key concept is RESPECT for their baptism.
RCIA – Ecumenical Formation
Formation should also include ecumenical preparation For catecumens, this means initiating them into
Catholic ecumenical commitments.For candidates for full communion this means
understanding our Catholic relationship with their church of origin.
Forming the parish for ecumenical sensitivityYouth should be taken to visit other Christian
churches, share service projects with them, pray with them – followed by discussion.
Catechists and catechetical leaders should be formed for ecumenism – to find ways to include mention of other Christians when appropriate, and to deal sensitively with non-Catholic parents of their students.
Parishes should find opportunities to regularly interact with, pray with and serve with other Christian church neighbors.
Questions?