Of course, Unitatis Redintegratio has also left some unanswered questions; it faced criticism and experienced further development. 28, 57), enriches them and at the same time makes their gifts her own; she brings them to the fullness of their catholicity and thereby fully attains her own catholicity (cf. 1. As a spiritual movement, the ecumenical movement does not uproot Tradition. If they know we care for them, our correction won't be seen as judgmental. 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. 9. 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. Peter T. King. The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council" (n. 1). In such dialogue, everyone gains a truer knowledge and more just appreciation of the teaching and religious life of both Communions. Lumen Gentium, n. 7; Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 2). Hence a matter of primary concern and care among the Easterns, in their local churches, has been, and still is, to preserve the family ties of common faith and charity which ought to exist between sister Churches. [22] Cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 47; Lumen Gentium, nn. Mission and ecumenism are two forms of the eschatological journey and the eschatological dynamic of the Church. Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 4). This "ecclesiology of elements" was already criticized at the Conciliar debates and especially after the Council." 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". orientalium ecclesiarum unitatis redintegratio christus May 12th, 2020 - orientalium ecclesiarum unitatis redintegratio christus dominus optatam totius perfectae caritatis gravissimum educationis nostra aetate dei verbum herders theologischer kommentar zum zweiten vatikanischen konzil by peter hnermann editor bernd jochen hilberath editor 11, 52. 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. Alice Sebold. Unitatis Redintegratio is Vatican II's Decree on Ecumenism. If they are true to this course of action, they will be giving ever better expression to the authentic catholicity and apostolicity of the Church. After being lifted up on the cross and glorified, the Lord Jesus poured forth His Spirit as He had promised, and through the Spirit He has called and gathered together the people of the New Covenant, who are the Church, into a unity of faith, hope and charity, as the Apostle teaches us: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism. 22. [29] This exhortation is directed especially to those raised to sacred Orders precisely that the work of Christ may be continued. Author: Phil Crosby. 19, 21, 22, 23). | About Us Sixty years later, the Conciliar teaching remains a source of inspiration and the guide of our activity, particularly the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium and the Decree Unitatis Redintegratio. Forty years are a measure of biblical time. But let all, according to the gifts they have received enjoy a proper freedom, in their various forms of spiritual life and discipline, in their different liturgical rites, and even in their theological elaborations of revealed truth. Tertio Millennio Adveniente, n. 18). Unitatis Redintegratiodraws out this implication explicitly, and attempts to describe what is meant by such imperfect communion. Nevertheless, our separated brethren, whether considered as individuals or as Communities and Churches, are not blessed with that unity which Jesus Christ wished to bestow on all those who through Him were born again into one body, and with Him quickened to newness of life - that unity which the Holy Scriptures and the ancient Tradition of the Church proclaim. Unitatis redintegratio ( Restoration of unity) is the Second Vatican Council 's decree on ecumenism. Thanks to "subsistit in", the Council was able to make a remarkable qualitative leap. 3, 27-28 gr.). On several occasions the Pope has said that the ecumenical venture is irrevocable (cf. The Church is always in need of this, in so far as she is an institution of men here on earth. Ut Unum Sint, n. 14), which includes unity in the faith, in the sacraments and in the ecclesiastical ministry (cf. 'Subsistit in' expresses a historically concrete ecclesiology. The difference between the two is not only geographical or temporal; they are different kinds of schisms. Moreover, some and even very many of the significant elements and endowments which together go to build up and give life to the Church itself, can exist outside the visible boundaries of the Catholic Church: the written word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, and visible elements too. Nevertheless, the divisions among Christians prevent the Church from attaining the fullness of catholicity proper to her, in those of her sons who, though attached to her by Baptism, are yet separated from full communion with her. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity addressed this theme in detail at its Plenary Assembly in 2001. Thus, the foundations of Eucharistic ecclesiology already exist in the Constitution on the Liturgy and in the Constitution on the Church (cf. Edit Details 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. 36 and 50). Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 4), and marked a decisive turning point with the creation of the "World Council of Churches" in 1948. 12, 83). This happens thanks to the concept of "communio". Full text of Unitatis Redintegratio. 20 21-23. Witness to the unity of the Church very generally forbids common worship to Christians, but the grace to be had from it sometimes commends this practice. In the ultimate analysis, ecumenism is an adventure of the Spirit. A series of official events, however, also prepared the ground for it. It seemed the sleep with the woman in his arms was the only necessity. But the problems we encounter must not let us forget the rich fruit that it has yielded. Also to Peter He promised the keys of the kingdom of heaven,[11] and after His profession of love, entrusted all His sheep to him to be confirmed in faith[12] and shepherded in perfect unity. Ecumenism, quo vadis? Unitatis Redintegratio, nn. It is neither an addition nor some sort of appendix, but an integral, organic part of the life and pastoral activity of the Church (cf. VI (1439), Definitio Laetentur caeli: Mansi 31, 1026 E. [27] Cf. This notwithstanding, it had far-reaching and important repercussions both within the Catholic Church and at an ecumenical level, and in the course of the past 40 years it has profoundly changed the situation of ecumenism .25. S. IOANNES CHRYSOSTOMOS, In loannem Homelia XLVI, PG 59, 260-262. Since there is only one Christ and only one Eucharist, each Church which celebrates the Eucharist is in a relationship of communion with all the other Churches. Leo XIII and Benedict XV paved the way for ecumenical openness. Les exigeances de la communion, Paris, 1959; Y. Congar, Diversit et communion, Paris, 1982, 239 ff. Carl Henegan, We can spend our whole lives underachieving." While it is true that many Christians understand the moral teaching of the Gospel differently from Catholics, and do not accept the same solutions to the more difficult problems of modern society, nevertheless they share our desire to stand by the words of Christ as the source of Christian virtue, and to obey the command of the Apostle: And whatever you do, in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. The Council candidly acknowledges that there are obstacles to full communion with the Catholic Church, caused by differences in doctrine, discipline, and ecclesiology. The Catholic understanding of ecumenism presupposes what already exists: the unity of the Catholic Church and partial communion with the other Churches and Ecclesial Communities in order, starting from this partial communion, to reach full communion (cf. But while the Christians who are separated from us hold the divine authority of the Sacred Books, they differ from ours - some in one way, some in another - regarding the relationship between Scripture and the Church. Already from the earliest times the Eastern Churches followed their own forms of ecclesiastical law and custom, which were sanctioned by the approval of the Fathers of the Church, of synods, and even of ecumenical councils. FLORENTINUM, Sess. Unitatis Redintegratio, nn. 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 Present and Future Situation of the Ecumenical Movement, in: Information Service n. 109, 2002/I-II, 11-20. Because of the existing differences, the Council urged the faithful to abstain from any frivolous or rash zeal. 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. The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council. 10. 6 Overview in Synopsis historica, edited by G. Alberigo-F. Magistretti, Bologna, 1975, 38; 439 ff. Summary Intro Division within the Christian community "openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature." ( UR, 1) As such, moving towards unity comes from God and is a great good. However, it no longer describes the way in which the Catholic Church understands herself in terms of "splendid isolation", but takes note of the active presence of the one Church of Christ also in other Churches and Ecclesial Communities (cf. [20] But in subsequent centuries much more serious dissensions made their appearance and quite large communities came to be separated from full communion with the Catholic Church - for which, often enough, men of both sides were to blame. Moreover, it is thanks to this that the new Pentecost announced by John XXIII in his Opening Address to the Council makes head way. Unitatis Redintegratio reads: "plena communio" and "quaedam communio, et si non perfecta". 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. ; Ut Unum Sint, nn. Here is the text in its entirely in html and also as a free pdf download. Even before the Second Vatican Council, the Pontiffs had encouraged prayers for unity in addition to the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity". Declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Mysterium Ecclesiae (1973), n. 1; also the Declaration Dominus Iesus (2000), n. 17. CONC. 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. This importance is the greater because the instruction and spiritual formation of the faithful and of religious depends so largely on the formation which their priests have received. However, they were in agreement over the fundamental structure, both Eucharistic-sacramental and episcopal. Paus Gregorius XVI, Summo Iugiter Studio (#5), 27 Mei 1832: "Di samping itu terdapat akta-akta yang khidmat [solemnes actus] milik Gereja di mana dogma yang sama telah diserukan.Maka di dalam dekret tentang iman yang diterbitkan oleh Inosensius III dengan sinode Lateran IV, hal-hal berikut tertulis: 'Sesungguhnya, hanya terdapat satu Gereja universal dari para umat beriman, di luar mana . 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. However, in the spirit of the two great heralds of the Council, J.A. This is the sacred mystery of the unity of the Church, in Christ and through Christ, the Holy Spirit energizing its various functions. 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, n. 8; Unitatis Redintegratio, nn. Ecumenism under the banner of the ecclesiology of communion. Understood in this way, "subsistit in" assumes the essential requirement of the "est". To make easier the ecumenical dialogue in spite of these differences, we wish to set down some considerations which can, and indeed should, serve as a basis and encouragement for such dialogue. In this eschatological perspective, the ecumenical movement is closely connected to the missionary movement. Il Concilio Vaticano II. 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. Enjoy reading and share 5 famous quotes about Unitatis Redintegratio with everyone. 21. It is a mystery that finds its highest exemplar and source in the unity of the Persons of the Trinity: the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit, one God. [32], In certain special circumstances, such as the prescribed prayers for unity, and during ecumenical gatherings, it is allowable, indeed desirable that Catholics should join in prayer with their separated brethren. 1, 4). United in their efforts, and with mutual respect, let them bear witness to our common hope which does not play us false. Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. 3 ff., 6 ff. The Council, therefore, spoke of relations between local Churches as between Sister Churches (cf. 1. How far does ecumenism still have to go? For although the Catholic Church has been endowed with all divinely revealed truth and with all means of grace, yet its members fail to live by them with all the fervor that they should, so that the radiance of the Church's image is less clear in the eyes of our separated brethren and of the world at large, and the growth of God's kingdom is delayed. Lumen Gentium, nn. 2, Paderborn, 1986, 95-135. Every renewal of the Church[27] is essentially grounded in an increase of fidelity to her own calling. 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. 17. It would have been possible to formulate more clearly what it was the intention to express; but as regards the effective content, it is impossible to close one's eyes to the divergences that exist in the way in which the Church is conceived. n. 16) further underlined this distinction at the level of concepts, provoking harsh criticism on the part of Protestant Christians. Newman, Tradition has not become fossilized but is living. [10] Cf. The goal of full unity [can] be reached only through the action of the Spirit of God and the conversion of all to the one Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. [17] Cf. Presbyterorum ordinis) Volume 5 (Gaudium et spes) Rediscovering Vatican II. With regard to Eucharistic ecclesiology, the distinction between the Churches and the Ecclesial Communities derives from this absence of any Eucharistic substance. With the Toronto Declaration (1950) it also entered into the language of the World Council of Churches. In all things let charity prevail. These are: first, every effort to avoid expressions, judgments and actions which do not represent the condition of our separated brethren with truth and fairness and so make mutual relations with them more difficult; then, dialogue between competent experts from different Churches and Communities. Hey, Ocean Eyes," my father said. 4, Bologna, 1999, 436-446. All rights reserved. [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. EC 251 came at last to the ecumenism of Benedict XVI in particular. In the study of revelation East and West have followed different methods, and have developed differently their understanding and confession of God's truth. Among other matters of great importance, it is a pleasure for this Council to remind everyone that there flourish in the East many particular or local Churches, among which the Patriarchal Churches hold first place, and of these not a few pride themselves in tracing their origins back to the apostles themselves. Moreover, their form of worship sometimes displays notable features of the liturgy which they shared with us of old. 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. 8, 15; Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 3; Ut Unum Sint, nn. Baptism is evidently only the point of departure and the basis (cf. Our thoughts turn first to those Christians who make open confession of Jesus Christ as God and Lord and as the sole Mediator between God and men, to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Council did not, of course, reduce the differences to mere political and cultural factors. The Council integrated the ecumenical movement into this eschatological dynamic. I seldom look back, only forward in anticipation of the next greater now. Online piracy needs to be dealt with itself, because people are just wholesale stealing people's work and not paying for it. This goal has been defined theologically by the Council as unity-communio. 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. IV (1870), Constitutio Pastor Aeternus: Collac 7, 482 a. Unitatis Redintegratio, nn. 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. In this liturgical worship, the Christians of the East pay high tribute, in beautiful hymns of praise, to Mary ever Virgin, whom the ecumenical Council of Ephesus solemnly proclaimed to be the holy Mother of God, so that Christ might be acknowledged as being truly Son of God and Son of Man, according to the Scriptures. 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. But their primary duty is to make a careful and honest appraisal of whatever needs to be done or renewed in the Catholic household itself, in order that its life may bear witness more clearly and faithfully to the teachings and institutions which have come to it from Christ through the Apostles. Quaedam communio, et si non perfecta '' Liturgy and in the Constitution on Liturgy... Ecumenism are two forms of the Liturgy and in the ultimate analysis ecumenism! 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