| "This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true." John 21:24 |
| "The Post and Courier" July 22, 2007 “Honest discussion can bring about understanding” By The Rev. Jeffrey Kirby |
It seems most people today are looking for answers to deeply existential and spiritual questions. These inquiries often lead to an intense, and
sometimes painful, search for truth.
In the midst of different cultures and times, the Christian tradition has always claimed that Jesus Christ is the truth made flesh, and that truth
searches for us. In Jesus Christ, the person can find all the answers to their questions. The Catholic Church has always claimed to hold the
fullness of this truth and its subsequent means of salvation.
The claim is an awkward one in our pluralistic society that tends towards religious pluralism, where truth is often relativized and conviction
can be dismissed as arrogance.
The Vatican recently released five questions and answers that seek to clarify and explain this claim of the Catholic Church. The questions and
their responses have caused a stir among theologians, non-Catholic Christians, and many people of good will. Why has the Vatican written
these responses, and why would it release them now?
The answers were written in response to five questions raised and presented by theologians to the Vatican in reaction to the document
Dominus Iesus in 2000. Such questions are always taken very seriously. They are reviewed and discussed by panels of theologians, and
debated and argued by different schools of thought. After such deliberation, the Vatican gives its answers and clarifications.
For these five questions, the process took seven years, and have now been publicized.
The questions, and their answers, are given in order to provide assistance to academic and general theological work. They are meant to
“clarify confusion on certain questions and to correct false understanding” within Catholic theology. No tone is intended by the responses.
They are not a formal document themselves, and should be read only within the context of more doctrinally expansive and pastorally
applicable documents of the Church (some of which are listed in the introduction itself of the questions and answers).
Beyond this explanation of the purpose and timing of the questions and answers, most people want to know: What is the Catholic Church
claiming overall, and what is it trying to say? Is the Catholic Church claiming that it is better than other Christian bodies? Is it trying to say
that non-Catholic Christians are not real disciples of Christ? Is it arguing that non-Catholics are all going to hell?
The Catholic Church is claiming none of the above. In responding to the five questions, the Catholic Church is clarifying an age-old claim that
it is the visible Church founded by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, and that it has the fullness of his teaching and the means of salvation. It
explains that other Christian bodies certainly have elements of truth and sanctification, and that there are many committed disciples of Jesus
Christ outside of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church makes no claims of eternal judgment of heaven or hell on anyone, non-Catholic or
Catholic.
What then is the Catholic Church saying? Does it really believe that it is the one Church founded by Jesus Christ, and that it has everything
that Jesus wanted to give his disciples?
The Catholic Church acknowledges that truth is one. Something cannot both be and not be, in the same way and at the same time. For
example, bread cannot both be and not be the Body of Christ.
Reflecting reality, only one view is true. Recognizing that the New Testament repeatedly speaks of one Church, the Catholic Church asserts
that Jesus Christ desired to found only one Church to hold and preserve the unity of his truth and the means of salvation. The Catholic
Church believes that the one Church of Christ was founded on St. Peter and the Apostles, and that it subsists in the Roman Catholic Church,
guided by the Pope and Bishops, who are the successors of Peter and the Apostles. For this reason, in theological terminology, the Catholic
Church reserves the word “church” only to bodies with an historical succession from the apostles. (This is not to say that the word
“church” cannot be used in popular jargon or conversation.)
In a society as open as we are, the point comes across as a strong claim. For secular people, it might appear as arrogantly outlandish. To
some non-Catholic Christians, it might appear as an exclusivist assertion of self-importance.
Of course, non-Catholic Christians will not agree with the claim. The Vatican knows that reality. But it also understands that authentic
dialogue is about being honest with one’s beliefs and claims. The Catholic Church sees this claim as essential to its inheritance, and identity as
a body. As seen in the five questions and answers, it wants to present its teachings with respectful precision and charitable clarity. Anything
else would be offensive and unhelpful to true theological discussion and spiritual sharing.
Many will disagree with this claim made by the Catholic Church. Challenges and differences of opinion are a part of life. Truthful dialogue
can sustain this disagreement, and fruitful discussion can help us all to understand where each other is standing, and what we can learn from
each other.
The Rev. Jeffrey Kirby is a deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Visit his Web site at www.jeffrey-kirby.com.
sometimes painful, search for truth.
In the midst of different cultures and times, the Christian tradition has always claimed that Jesus Christ is the truth made flesh, and that truth
searches for us. In Jesus Christ, the person can find all the answers to their questions. The Catholic Church has always claimed to hold the
fullness of this truth and its subsequent means of salvation.
The claim is an awkward one in our pluralistic society that tends towards religious pluralism, where truth is often relativized and conviction
can be dismissed as arrogance.
The Vatican recently released five questions and answers that seek to clarify and explain this claim of the Catholic Church. The questions and
their responses have caused a stir among theologians, non-Catholic Christians, and many people of good will. Why has the Vatican written
these responses, and why would it release them now?
The answers were written in response to five questions raised and presented by theologians to the Vatican in reaction to the document
Dominus Iesus in 2000. Such questions are always taken very seriously. They are reviewed and discussed by panels of theologians, and
debated and argued by different schools of thought. After such deliberation, the Vatican gives its answers and clarifications.
For these five questions, the process took seven years, and have now been publicized.
The questions, and their answers, are given in order to provide assistance to academic and general theological work. They are meant to
“clarify confusion on certain questions and to correct false understanding” within Catholic theology. No tone is intended by the responses.
They are not a formal document themselves, and should be read only within the context of more doctrinally expansive and pastorally
applicable documents of the Church (some of which are listed in the introduction itself of the questions and answers).
Beyond this explanation of the purpose and timing of the questions and answers, most people want to know: What is the Catholic Church
claiming overall, and what is it trying to say? Is the Catholic Church claiming that it is better than other Christian bodies? Is it trying to say
that non-Catholic Christians are not real disciples of Christ? Is it arguing that non-Catholics are all going to hell?
The Catholic Church is claiming none of the above. In responding to the five questions, the Catholic Church is clarifying an age-old claim that
it is the visible Church founded by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, and that it has the fullness of his teaching and the means of salvation. It
explains that other Christian bodies certainly have elements of truth and sanctification, and that there are many committed disciples of Jesus
Christ outside of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church makes no claims of eternal judgment of heaven or hell on anyone, non-Catholic or
Catholic.
What then is the Catholic Church saying? Does it really believe that it is the one Church founded by Jesus Christ, and that it has everything
that Jesus wanted to give his disciples?
The Catholic Church acknowledges that truth is one. Something cannot both be and not be, in the same way and at the same time. For
example, bread cannot both be and not be the Body of Christ.
Reflecting reality, only one view is true. Recognizing that the New Testament repeatedly speaks of one Church, the Catholic Church asserts
that Jesus Christ desired to found only one Church to hold and preserve the unity of his truth and the means of salvation. The Catholic
Church believes that the one Church of Christ was founded on St. Peter and the Apostles, and that it subsists in the Roman Catholic Church,
guided by the Pope and Bishops, who are the successors of Peter and the Apostles. For this reason, in theological terminology, the Catholic
Church reserves the word “church” only to bodies with an historical succession from the apostles. (This is not to say that the word
“church” cannot be used in popular jargon or conversation.)
In a society as open as we are, the point comes across as a strong claim. For secular people, it might appear as arrogantly outlandish. To
some non-Catholic Christians, it might appear as an exclusivist assertion of self-importance.
Of course, non-Catholic Christians will not agree with the claim. The Vatican knows that reality. But it also understands that authentic
dialogue is about being honest with one’s beliefs and claims. The Catholic Church sees this claim as essential to its inheritance, and identity as
a body. As seen in the five questions and answers, it wants to present its teachings with respectful precision and charitable clarity. Anything
else would be offensive and unhelpful to true theological discussion and spiritual sharing.
Many will disagree with this claim made by the Catholic Church. Challenges and differences of opinion are a part of life. Truthful dialogue
can sustain this disagreement, and fruitful discussion can help us all to understand where each other is standing, and what we can learn from
each other.
The Rev. Jeffrey Kirby is a deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Visit his Web site at www.jeffrey-kirby.com.