This Ministry of Reconciliation

Pope Benedict XVI gave Christendom some "food for thought" in his statement, "Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine of the Church." The Holy Father reasserted the Vatican's claim that the Church in Rome was the only true Church, that all other expressions of the Church were either "defective" or mere "ecclesial communities" (but not the Church!) and did not provide the means for salvation for their adherents.

As many commentators have pointed out, the Pope did not state any new positions of the Roman Catholic Church. But as the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declared, "It does, however, restate known positions in provocative ways..." Bishop Hanson went on to observe, "The anguished response of Christians around the world to the Vatican's statement...clearly indicates that what may have been meant to clarify has caused pain. Now is the time for our thoughtful and measured response."

UCC Ecumenical Officer, the Rev. Lydia Veliko remarked, "It is most upsetting to read persistent language, not new yet still distressing, characterizing the Protestant churches as not having 'preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery,' thus relegating us to a category of 'ecclesial communities' rather than 'church.'"

Veliko, however, remained positive about Catholic-Protestant-Orthodox relationships, especially in the United States. "We appreciate the many ways in which Roman Catholics … work collaboratively and collegially with Protestant and Orthodox colleagues, in many cases exhibiting the very best of the ecumenical spirit to which they made visible commitment in the days following Vatican II."

Locally, Paul Dreyer-Wiberg, interim pastor at our Plainville Christian Church UCC (Oneida Association), wrote to the editor of the Syracuse Post-Standard, "It is a sad day for Christians everywhere when a church leader sweeps aside decades of work and prayer toward the essential unity of all believers with the arrogant pronouncement that his church (The Roman Catholic Church) is the only true church." He went on to point out his sadness over the damage such statements make to the cause of Church unity. He imagined Jesus reading this statement and wondering, "I died for THIS!"

The Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, General Secrectary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, wrote in his letter on behalf of the World Alliance to the Vatican wondered about the timing of this statement, "It makes us question the seriousness with which the Roman Catholic Church takes its dialogues with the Reformed family and other families of the church. It makes us question whether we are indeed praying together for Christian unity. This is unfortunate timing since we are about to release the results of the third series of our bilateral dialogues."

I also wonder what purpose such a statement can serve. It certainly need not be made from the standpoint of "our" (that is non Roman Catholic) understanding of their position. Perhaps, it is to reassure Roman Catholics that the Vatican is not becoming "soft" in its doctrine.

Apparently, the statement is based upon the doctrine surrounding the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. Without the proper ordination (by a Roman Catholic bishop) of the celebrant of the Sacrament, non Roman Catholic churches are therefore not able to administer the Sacrament rightly.

Without the Sacrament rightly administered these churches cannot be instruments of God's salvation as mediated through the body and blood of Christ. (At least, that's how I interpret the logic of the doctrine.)

Personally, I don't care to limit the power of the Holy Spirit to make holy what God wants to make holy. I prefer to ask myself the question, "Am I being faithful to the Good News of the coming of the Realm of God through the person of Jesus Christ?"

Of course, I am biased. I belong to one of those "ecclesial communities." However, I do consider my position to have some scriptural basis. Jesus said that not everyone who says, "Abraham (and Sarah) is my ancestor will enter the realm of Heaven." He also taught in sermons and parables that whoever does the will of God is a part of his family.

St. Paul understood that in Christ God gave us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:16-21). To me, this reconciliation includes working toward the unity of the Church. It is as Setri Nyomi said in his letter to the Vatican, "For now, we are thankful to God that our calling to be part of the church of Jesus Christ is not dependent on the interpretation of the Vatican. It is a gift of God. Receiving this gift, we appreciate the Roman Catholic Church as a part of this family (as affirmed in the final report of "Towards a Common Understanding of the Church" published in 1991). We pray for the day that the Roman Catholic Church moves beyond exclusivist claims so that we can further the cause of Christian unity for which our Lord Jesus Christ prayed - so that the world may believe (John 17: 21)."

Blessings,

Rick Cowles