Catholics and ecumenism
Back in the nineteeen fifties, the Catholic attitude to ecumenism might have been typified by statements such as these:
‘Ecumenism!? I’m a Catholic, why should I bother with it?’
‘I have the true faith, it’s for the others to worry about where they’ve gone wrong. When they get it right, we will all be Catholics and in Unity.’
‘Why don’t they just get on with it and leave me in peace? I have too many other things to worry about just now.’
Second Vatican Council
Well, yes, that did represent the Catholic attitude to ecumenism, at any rate until the ideas of the Second Vatican Council took root. In 1964 the Council published a ‘Decree on Ecumenism’, which set new standards for the Catholic attitude to Church Unity. The primary inspiration was identified as the prayer of Jesus to the Father ‘That they may all be one’ (John 17.21). The Decree declared (amongst other matters):
- the aim of the ecumenical movement is to surmount obstructions on the path to unity
- concern for the establishment of unity is a matter for the whole Church, faithful and pastors alike
- the Church on its pilgrimage is called by Christ to the continual reformation of which it perpetually stands in need, as a human, earthly institution
In the decree, the Council recommended bishops all over the world to promote this (ecumenical) activity energetically and to give it their prudent, personal direction.
The personal influence of Pope John Paul II and of Cardinal Basil Hume
All over the world the Catholic faithful were slow to take on board the new direction on ecumenism set by the Second Vatican Council. In Britain the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982 encouraged more contacts between the Churches contacts, which led to the formation of Churches Together in England at a service in our own Cathedral of St. George in Southwark on 1st September 1990. The late Cardinal Hume was a strong influence in committing the Catholic Church in England and Wales to the Churches Together movement. Many people have a vision of John Paul II as a ‘conservative’ on the side of maintaining old traditions. If he did have that reputation, he shattered it for all time, so far as ecumenism is concerned, by his encyclical letter ‘Ut Unum Sint’ published in Nay 1995. The title ‘Ut Unum Sint’ (That they may be one) is a direct quotation from the prayer of Jesus to the Father.
Ut unum sint: ecumenical revolution?
In this encyclical John Paul II
- stresses that the urgent need to preach the Gospel is hindered by divisions between the Churches
- lays blame for the divisions on all the Churches including the Catholic Church
- emphasises the power of prayer (especially when people come together from different Churches) to assist in the healing of divisions
- calls for every possible form of practical co-operation at all levels between the Catholic Church and other Churches
- advocates continual reformation of the Catholic Church to rectify any deficiencies
- and asks for ideas from leaders of other Churches on how the Papacy might be reformed, so as to become more generally acceptable.
Wow! Surely a stronger emphasis than ever before on the need to contemplate change in the Catholic Church itself. An ecumenical revolution? Perhaps, if measured against pre-Vatican II attitudes. The challenge to Catholics is further indicated by a few quotations(with section numbers taken from the text):
(15) “There can be no ecumenism worthy of the name without a change of heart” (quoted with approval from the Decree on Ecumenism).
(20) Thus it is absolutely clear that ecumenism, the movement promoting Christian unity, is not just some sort of “appendix” which is added to the Church’s traditional activity. Rather, ecumenism is an organic part of her life and work, and consequently must pervade all that she is and does.
(82) It is understandable how the seriousness of the commitment to ecumenism presents a deep challenge to the Catholic faithful. The Spirit calls them to make a serious examination of conscience.
Fortunately there is a strong ‘Churches Together’ in Selsdon and Addington. We take part in all of its activities, although we are sometimes rather shamed at the small number of Catholics involved. Would you like to stick your toe into the ecumenical water? You will be warmly welcomed. Try first the Good Friday morning service or (on most 4th Tuesdays) the monthly ecumenical prayer meeting. See further details in ‘Dates for your diary’.
This article started in the mindset of the pre-Vatican II era and has sought to explain the thinking behind subsequent changes advocated by eminent church authorities. How do you feel about these changes? Why not drop a line to the Editor?
David Barrett
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