Decree on Ecumenism: Unitatis Redintegratio

    Vatican II published a document on Ecumenism, a movement whihc seeks restoration among all Christian's.  This is a response to Christs own prayer, "that they may all be one, as we Father, are on." [John 17:21-26]  The document lays out the walls between other Christians and respectful ways in which all Christians can pursue this unity without compromising the Catholic faith and why it is important.  It begins first with discussing the "principles of ecumenism" are that there is only One Body of Christ, One Church.  This unity is maintained by the one Spirit.  For this reason, Christ instituted the Eucharist to make this unity a reality. [1]  Additionally, there is one Baptism by which we remain in faith, hope and charity.  The ideal of a single Body of Christian worshipers is that; "Christ wills His people to increase, and He perfects His people's fellowship in unity: in their confessing the one faith, celebrating divine worship, and keeping fraternal harmony of the family of God."[2] As intended when Christ instituted the Church, He appointed twelve apostles which continue in succession through the bishops and pope.  As long as we profess one faith in the Triune God and salvation from the Death and Resurection of Jesus Christ, this council gives us hope that despite some serious differences, unity can be approached. 

    This is an important effort in the Church, since, from the beginning we have faced divisions.  In the time of the Apostles we had the first council, the council of Jerusalem because churches were forming in different areas and making different distinctions.  If these distinction go unresolved, it causes division, whihc is exactly what happened.  In the 1054, the eastern Church and the Western Church finally separated.  If members on both sides had access to ideas like this document suggested, it may have ended differently.  Since the Church is always moving forward, it is important to learn from the past as well.

    Some fear encounters with Christians of other denominations but the council wishes to encourage efforts to recognize the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the benefit for all. [3]. Moving forward, it is essential to remember that the devisions we saw then are the result of every side having failed in some way to due charity.  In seeking communion, it would have been helpful to seek reconciliation through a humble recognition of this fact.  The  ecumenical movement encourages public and private prayer for the unity of Christians.

    In Jesus's own time, divisions started and he said something that can be a bit confusing in light of the "doctrinal" foundation the Catholic Church has.  Jesus said to his disciples who wanted to stop others from performing miracles in Jesus's name, stop "those are with me can not be against me." [Matt 12:30] Fortunately, we are aware it is not enough to "be for Christ" in words that contradict tradition.  Which seems to be the cause for the matter.  Before Jesus ascended into heaven he prayed to God the Father, "that they may be one as we also are one."[John 17:23] This is the voice of the whole Church now praying these same words as expressed in this document. 

    By the very nature of our separation, it is not possible to worship in common with other Christians but through the carful guidance of Bishops we can find opportunities to pray together. Christian unity's the work of both lay faithful and Shepards alike but before one seeks to embrace those separated, the council reminds us of our important to first know our own faith firmly.  This is essential to finding true common ground without risking error or falsehood or worse, heresies. Beginning with the Eastern Church, then the Western Christians separated from Rome, this document explains the boundaries we carry and the path forward.  

    From the early rise of the Church, there was one Church united by the apostles and successors but still retained some respective difference.  This was the Church of the east and the West which form the "left and right lungs" of the Church.  The schism that resulted was due to challenges faced within already agreed upon decrees, such as the Magisterium and Sacraments.  It is important to validate the significance of the events that transpired during the middle ages which resulted in the rupture between the east and the West. Some consider it a simple political arguments, others see that ideological differences had met their breaking point.[4] John Vidmar, OP, mentions the serious issues that resulted from the change in the filioque of the Creed. [5] Interestingly enough, it is the process for seeking to define the faith that led to the divisions int he past, but that can be seen as an avoidable dispute.  The Churched needed to seek those answers and define them.  It is unfortunate that it wasn't done with the guidance and prudence of the Holy Spirit, but we can't see the process for define the faith as the cause of the schism early on. share the same sacraments although now those churches whihc are separated would be considered illicit.  To the Eastern Churches, we have greatest priority as we share the most from the beginning and shares the riches of Eastern thought.  With them it is possible and even encouraged to seek "worship in communion" although under the approval of governing bishops.  We respect the theological, liturgical and cultural differences and recognize that they do not pose an obstacle with unity. 

    

[1] Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio, (21, November 1964) 2.

[2] Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio, 2.

[3] Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio, 4.

[4] George E. Demacopoulos, Analogia, 9 (2020), p. 67.

[5] John Vidmar, The Catholic Church through the Ages, 2nd ed. (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2014), 105.