Ecumenism - Summary of the Week

THE SEARCH OF CHRISTIAN UNITY

Yes, there are challenges

By Virgilius Kawama

Today, the 23^rd January 2012, the lecturer (Fr. George Kocholickal) treated the topic “The Search of Christian Unity”. He started by analyzing the Church’s teaching on the Catholic unity. Those who belong to this Catholic unity were mentioned. He made a distinction between the Juridical and Spiritual Unity. The Juridical unity requires three elements; Catholic faith, Sacraments, and Ecclesiastical governance. While Spiritual unity is more guided by the presence of God’s grace, Divine life, salvation, charisma and gifts of the Holy Spirit. He later on clarified the phrases used ecumenically; 1) Universal Church as a collection of all churches which are under the power of the Pope, 2) Particular Churches as the Churches that falls under the diocesan bishop, 3) Churches not in full communion with the Catholic Church as those churches which are not in communion with the Bishop of Rome, and 4) Ecclesial communities as those without a valid Episcopate and Eucharistic celebration.

The relationship between the Eucharist, the Church, and the Christian unity was clarified though the question of “intercommunion” still remains unclear as to who can receive the body and blood of Christ. Later on the principles of the Catholic ecumenism were mentioned and dealt with in detail one-by-one starting with; 1) Religious liberty, 2) One church of Christ, 3) One church of Christ and the Catholic Church, 4) Supernatural gifts, charisma and unity of the Church, 5) Salvation, grace and Christian churches, 6) Salvation and the Catholic Church, 7) Unity and diversity, 8) Hierarchy of truths, 9) Sin of disunity and present day Christianity.

Reflection: Our group generally was very positive about the initiative of ecumenical movement. However, some of the principles of the Catholic ecumenism raised some questions; if we are really convinced that all the truth exists in the Catholic Church, why ecumenism? Does it mean that we are the best and others follow? This wonder is strengthened with the Pope’s stand when he invited the Anglicans to join us, why and what does this move imply, that we are better or what, are we really seeking for Unity? Nevertheless, we cannot deny the goodness of ecumenism as it is an opportunity for our leaders to open up and criticize one another on the matters concerning faith. The only problem is that on the ground as followers of different denominations we are so much attached to our churches’ beliefs that affect the ecumenical atmosphere, our relationships, and the extent to which we can go on discussing some matters of faith. There is too much tension, confusion, and competition as we try to protect our self-claimed absolute truths! The best solution could be that we try to put Jesus Christ on the centre (as a central ground to unify us) regardless of who we are so that all of us from different churches can be able to move forward to Christ and meet others in Him rather than bringing them to the Catholic beliefs. Actually, in some ways, if we are able to put Christ on the centre, and we all feel motivated towards Him, then the closer we come to Christ the closer we come to one another. Apart from that, the leaders are to educate their followers on the importance of ecumenism, they need to avoid ambiguous language and speak straight language that even uneducated follower can understand. We are to be proud of the fact that we all have both material and spiritual gifts though the extent to which we take care of them differs depending on personal or churches’ interests. What we need is to help one another discover these gifts and promote their growth for the benefit of all humankind so that each one may grow better in the life of faith in the Spirit and in the sacrament of unity.