Bishop Blair: "A Dialogue of Truth and Love"

Bishop Blair writes in the Toledo Diocese's Catholic Chronicle:

A dialogue of truth and love

by Bishop Leonard P. Blair

Public reaction to the Congregation’s document was widely reported in the media. It is like a volcano that erupts every few years whenever the Holy See makes some reaffirmation of Catholic faith regarding what Jesus willed and instituted for the church. The same thing happens when there is an affirmation of our Christian belief that Jesus is the world’s only Savior.

Those Catholics and non-Catholics alike who know theology and the documents of Vatican II were not at all surprised. Those for whom Vatican II is a distant and vague event, or for whom its supposed “spirit” is important, not its actual teaching, were disappointed. Still others, who think that all Christians or even all religions have moved to a mutual tolerance in which differences of belief are not important, were offended, angry and dismayed.

What are we to make of this? Is it arrogant for the Catholic Church to hold such beliefs? What about ecumenism? What about inter-religious dialogue and respect for other religions?

Let’s take first things first.

When it comes to ecumenism among Christians, what is sometimes misunderstood is that for the Catholic Church the ultimate goal is full, visible unity among Christians. Mutual respect and understanding are essential first steps, but we are also obliged to dialogue about divisive theological issues in a common search for the truth as to what Christ willed for His church.

Here are some examples. As Catholics, we believe that Christ meant for the pope to be the successor of St. Peter with all that that entails. The Orthodox and Protestant churches do not fully accept this, or even deny it. As Catholics, we believe that Christ instituted seven sacraments. Some other Christians accept only baptism and Eucharist, or understand the Eucharist without reference to an ordained priesthood. These are not unimportant questions.

What Vatican II taught, and the recent document repeats, is that the church, as Jesus willed it, “subsists” in its fullness in the Roman Catholic Church.

***
Experience shows that the only dialogue that gets anywhere is one that is open to hearing and respecting the beliefs of the dialogue partners. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago makes a good point when he writes: “Many sincere followers of Jesus Christ reject the Catholic Church’s understanding of who the church is. Some think Catholics are not even Christian; others say the pope is the anti-Christ. They don’t want to be Catholic, and that should be respected. But the Catholic understanding of church should also be respected. It has a 2,000-year history. It seems somewhat strange that only the Catholic Church’s self-understanding should be a matter of public indignation.”

When it comes to inter-religious dialogue, the issues are different because our dialogue partners are not Christian. Here, too, theological statements of the Holy See reflect the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.

Not surprisingly, the Council maintained, in accordance with Scripture and tradition, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the world’s only Savior. However, this does not mean that non-Christian religions are without value. Since Christ is the Eternal Word “through whom all things were made,” whatever is good and true in the world’s religions are a reflection of Christ. Vatican II says: “The Catholic Church rejects nothing of those things which are true and holy in [other religions]…. Yet without ceasing she preaches, and is bound to preach, Christ who is ‘the way, the truth and the life.’ ” (Nostra aetate, 2)

[Do yourself a favor and read the whole thing]

(emphasis added)

My Comments:
Don't you just wish you could have my Bishop? If you live in the Archdiocese of Detroit or the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, you might be fortunate enough to get him some day soon.

While I pray that he'll be here in the Diocese of Toledo for many years to come (I moved my family here only after learning that he was the Bishop), I have a feeling he's headed for something bigger.


UPDATE (8 October)
Needless to say, tripe like this from Richard McBrien doesn't appear in The Catholic Chronicle, as it does in other diocesan newspapers. (Hat tip: Terry Nelson)


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Bishop Blair: "Upholding the Bond of Love" (Part 3)

Bishop Blair: "Upholding the Bond of Love" (Part 2)

Bishop Blair: "Upholding the Bond of Love"

Bishop Blair: "The Gospel of Life Revisited"

Bishop Blair: "Building Your House on a Rock"

Meeting the Bishop - After Action Report

Bishop Blair Teaches: "And With Your Spirit"

Bishop Blair: "What God Joins Together"