Ecumenical symposium working towards 'full and visible communion' meets

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Comments: 7

Rome, Italy, Feb 15, 2010 / 02:11 pm (CNA).- A symposium was held in Rome last week to discuss issues presented in a recently released book on "important questions for the future direction and content of ecumenical discussion." The book features the results of 40 years of bilateral dialogues between the Catholic Church and four Christian denominations.

According to a Vatican communique, theologians from the Roman Catholic Church, the World Lutheran Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Anglican Communion and the World Methodist Council met from Feb. 8 - 10 in the offices of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity to discuss the content of the book "Harvesting the Fruits: Basic Aspects of Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue," released in Oct. 2009.

Not only did the gathering provide an opportunity for the delegates to appreciate the "remarkable achievement" of the 40th anniversary commemorated by the book, but it also offered participants a forum to examine "the question of the reception of joint statements and agreements, the need for the common witness of Christians at every level and the changed context in which Christianity must undertake its mission."

In the course of the three days, the groups discussed parameters for future ecumenical dialogue and considered further actions to work towards the "goal of ecumenism, which remains full and visible communion," the Vatican reported.

Participating theologians, hosted by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, revisited "traditional disagreements" as part of continuing attempts to resolve them. The representatives also contemplated approaches and proposals that might lead them to greater unity.

Delegates to the ecumenical sessions included both veteran and young theologians, who "expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss in depth the real challenges encountered in the search for Christian unity, and affirmed that the ability to call together meetings of this nature is a particular ability of Rome, indicating the wider service that the Petrine ministry can offer to ecumenism."

"Positive suggestions" introduced over the course of the symposium will be readdressed at the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in November 2010.

Comments: 7

Subscriber comments:

Published by: JudeThom
Philadelphia, PA USA 08/14/2010 05:29 PM EST

What a Joke this is, only none of this is funny. So now the hierarchy of the Catholic Church "recognizes" these false and heretical "churches" as being equal to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church founded by Our Lord on St. Peter and his successors?! So now modernist Rome is implying that the Catholic Church is not the ONLY true Church and the ONLY way to Salvation but just one of MANY "churches" and just A way to salvation?! This of course is heresy and violates 2000 years of Ex Cathedra Catholic dogma! According to this article there is Nothing being said by the Catholic hierarchy to these seperated "Christians" about the dangers of remaining in heretical 16th century "churches" with no Apostolic succession, a perverted interpretation of the Gospel, invalid "ministers", the absence of the 7 valid Sacraments and the necessity of returning to the one true Church and to the one true faith founded by Our Lord on St. Peter and his successors outside of which there is no salvation! I guess the protestants weren't the only heretics attending this symposium. Alot has happened in 40 years, 2000 years of Catholic Dogma has been eliminated and the "spirit of Vatican II" has taken its place with the heresies of religious indifferentism and relativism! Our Lady of Fatima pray for us!

Published by: JudeThom
Philadelphia, PA usa 08/14/2010 05:28 PM EST

I agree that it is time that the Vatican stopped being involved in these evil ecumenical gatherings which focus on "dialogue." This is not a Catholic practice. It is certainly a result of the heresies that currently are being taught from the highest levels in the Vatican of today. Why are these churchmen not proclaiming the necessity of belief in Christ and membership in His Catholic Church as necessary for salvation? What happened to "Outside the Church there is no salvation?" If all religions are the SAME and there is NO central truth, then being Catholis is as good as being Baptist. The Catholic Church will get what it is asking for: TO BECOME LIKE EVERYONE ELSE,

Published by: Jay
Los Angelos/CA/USA 06/29/2010 11:12 PM EST

The Catholic Church is the pillar of truth...She has the knowledge of God and God is good. Those non-Catholic sects do have some knowledge of God and that is good but they also have knowledge of what is not God and that is not good but rather evil. The serpent entered the garden. The smoke of Satan entered the Church. The command was the same, "do not partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." The heirarchy ignored this command and proceeded anyway with the ecumenical movement. Poisoned fruit. The first punishment was physical death and access to the Tree of life was denied. I think this second punishment is the second death of the spirit and that the Tree of Life "the Holy Eucharist" is not permitted to those who have not the "true faith". This is how I see the ecumenical movement.

Published by: Edward
Birmingham 02/16/2010 08:38 AM EST

It is time that the Vatican stopped being involved in these evil ecumenical gatherings which focus on "dialogue." This is not a Catholic practice. It is certainly a result of the heresies that currently are being taught from the highest levels in the Vatican of today. Why are these churchmen not proclaiming the necessity of belief in Christ and membership in His Catholic Church as necessary for salvation?

Published by: John
USA 02/15/2010 10:44 PM EST

This article contains heresy in it. We do not need "full and visible communion" True Christians are all united in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Just because people have left the true Church and formed their own churches, does not mean the Catholic church is less visible or imperfect, as this article implies.

Published by: Paulus Augustinus
Daly City, California 02/15/2010 08:18 PM EST

Ecumenical Theology is relevant today. It is an answer to the prayer of the LORD Yeshua Messiah in John 17:21, "Ut Unum Sint". As believers of the LORD, we must not complicate the issue. The truth is to be obeyed. It is good to remember the Petrine message: "Peter began to speak: I now realize that it is true that GOD treats everyone on the same basis. Whoever fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him, no matter what race he belongs to. You know the message He sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the Good News of Peace through Jesus Christ, who is LORD of all." (Acts 10:34-36).

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 02/15/2010 02:38 PM EST

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