Ecumenical activity is great.
The Body of Christ, fractured by schisms, separations, and
splits, needs to set differences aside and work together in ways that present
at least an image of a unified front. We are, after all, the One Body of Christ
even though we are divided and sub-divided by denominational and
non-denominational theories and differences.
An uncomfortable ecumenism, one
where groups from diverse denominational backgrounds occasionally get along for
the sake of getting along, accomplishes very little though.
Here is a confession for you.
I experienced (and even practiced) this “getting along” kind
of ecumenism during the years I was a Protestant pastor. I was not the only
one. I had quite a lot of company.
I participated in monthly “ministerial association” meetings
where we “ministers” got along because we were supposed to get along. We even,
on occasions, brought our separate denominational and non-denominational flocks
together for joint ecumenical services. One thing that I remember about those
meetings is how often we “ministers” used those occasions to promote our own
denominations at the sake of discrediting others. We were, in essence,
representing our denominations first. Representing Christ fit into the equation
somewhere after representing and promoting our denominations.
It is amazing how clear hindsight can be, especially when
being honest becomes the jewel to be valued most. I have, at this age and stage
of life, no reason to be anything other than down-to-the-core honest. I hope
that my honesty is not viewed as negative criticism. I will be honest and take the chance of being misunderstood.
What was it that Jesus said?
“If you continue in my
word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth
will make you free.”[1]
When we compromise the truth contained in the word of
Christ, we enter into bondage. When we compromise being honest with ourselves
and those around us, we enter into bondage. Being in bondage, any kind of
bondage, is a bad place to be.
One of the great achievements of Vatican II was the actions
taken in recognizing the valid faith of Christians in denominations and
fellowships separated from the Roman Church. Huge strides have been taken as a result
of the Council, careful and purposeful strides aimed at readying the Church to
continue performing her mission of guarding the deposit of faith while
evangelizing lost souls amidst the strains and stresses of these modern times.
An openness to work toward unity with all Christians,
regardless of denominational affiliation, is one of the strides taken by Vatican
Council II. The Council recognized that unity would be a long and difficult
process. It also recognized that honest dialog regarding doctrinal and dogmatic
differences would necessarily and naturally be a part of long process.[2]
The Council recognized that ecumenism, to be most effective,
cannot be just another politically correct platform where personal identities
and doctrinal beliefs are silenced and sacrificed on the altar of political
correctness. Personal relationships and deeper levels of understanding are not
enhanced by this type of politically correct ecumenism. It is through
maintaining our identities and doctrinal beliefs, while refusing to negate and
put down the identities and doctrinal beliefs of other followers of Christ,
where we deepen in our relationships with and understanding of other Christian
believers who are, like us, working out their salvation with fear and trembling.[3]
Though Protestants are always welcome to come home to the
Catholic Church, the emphasis of the Decree on Ecumenism already mentioned and
footnoted, is not on proselytizing, either overtly or covertly, from the realm
of Protestantism. Its emphasis is on acceptance, understanding, and working
together for the salvation of humankind.
The Catholic Church, in the understanding of this Protestant
convert to the Catholic Church, is still going through the growing pains of
Vatican Council II.
The Post-Vatican II Church has become highly polarized. One
pole is charged by Traditionalists fighting to hold onto Pre-Vatican II ways.
The other pole is charged by the current generated by liberal Catholic thinkers
working to move the Catholic Church away from certain of her historical
doctrinal and moral stances. Traditionalists pulling from the one side.
Liberals pulling from the other side.
And, here in the middle, kneel multitudes of Catholics that
are in love with Christ, in love with his Church, and trying to remain focused
and faithful despite the polarizing currents that are at work within the Church.
[1]
John 8:31-32
[2]
DECREE ON ECUMENISM, Vatican II, Unitatis Redintegratio, 21 November, 1964
[3]
Philippians 2:12
Beautifully said. Didn't Jesus pray, "That we all be one." in John 17:21?
ReplyDeleteThat he did.
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