Newsmakers II: The "True Church"

It has been amusing in recent weeks that many Catholics approach me and say something like, "I can't believe what the pope just did," and they might be referring to one of two different events, the new permission given for 'Tridentine' Mass and the new document supposedly affirming extra ecclesia non salus (outside of the Church there is no salvation).

This document, officially given the formidable title, "RESPONSES TO SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE DOCTRINE ON THE CHURCH," actually says very little that is new. The 2000 document Dominus Iesus was much more comprehensive and in a way challenging, especially given the sense that the official ecumenical movement has not produced much in the intervening seven years.

More than one Catholic bishop today laments the fact that governance of a diocese must always take into consideration the potentially disruptive and distorting role of the media. There is at least one priest in most dioceses who will share even a personal letter from the ordinary with a reporter, and it will become a sensation. The fact is, when one is speaking in a specialized, even closed group, one should be free to use technical vocabulary in an effort to clarify the group's self-understanding and mission. When a third party looks in over your shoulder and lacks the full context of what is being said, misunderstanding is hardly avoidable.

Non-theologians should attempt to read the Responsa in this light. Catholic theologians have a sacred duty, as do all in Holy Orders, to pass on the Traditional teaching of the Magisterium, holding in faith that it is the salvific teaching given and willed by the Lord Himself. On the other hand, the formulations given in such documents is in no way binding on non-Catholics, who should feel free to propose their own formulations according to the beliefs of their particular churches and ecclesial communities. In fact, it would be refreshing to hear some authoritative teaching come from, say, the ELCA stating clearly the defects of the Roman Church in their eyes. Would there be an outcry against such a hypothetical document? Maybe, but I would judge such an outcry to be just as wrong-headed as the current one against the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Yes, to say that Protestant communities suffer 'defects' sounds harsh. On the other hand, surely non-Catholics must in some sense hold that the Catholic Church is defective. Were it not, what would prevent unity? It is manifestly the case that on some certain points: the Real Presence, priesthood reserved for men, devotions to Mary, relics, etc, the Catholic Church is judged by outsiders as wrong. I disagree, but I judge it essential that we all be clear about this. The path to true unity as opposed to mere detente is through charity and truth; 'small t' truth in the sense that we all have to be clear about what is most important in our personal and ecclesial relationships with Jesus Christ. If the Catholic Church is not permitted to say clearly what she considers herself to have held since Apostolic times, then there can be no reasonable objections raised to that teaching. And legitimate objections can and should be raised, with the goal of coming to a profounder formulation of ecclesial dogma. This is a time-honored method practiced quite consciously since the Advent of scholasticism (every article of St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa contains objections--not a single one does Thomas ridicule or dismiss outright!).

On this point, I can end with something very positive. In the worry, anger and confusion that comes from these two strong documents recently released from Rome, there is always the potential to reach a deeper understanding of the Church and a deeper faith. The keys are 1) learning to read for understanding, to read patiently and non-judgementally; and 2) to be open to the most charitable possible interpretation of the document. This is, in the words of a graduate student friend of mine, "extremely difficult!" I have found, however, that in discussions that take place clear of the goading influence of various media, every Christian I have spoken to desires this. Is there better proof that the Holy Spirit is indeed at work in the Church for full communion? God grant us all the patience and charity we need to consent to the will of Jesus Christ, "That all may be One."