Dear Parishioners,

In early September two documents were published by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that have caused considerable upset, embarrassment and anger among your average faithful church going Catholic. The headlines and press summary indicate the declaration entitled “Dominus Jesus” (“The Lord Jesus”) claims that followers of other religions are in “a gravely deficient situation in comparison with those who in the Church have the fullness of the means of salvation” and that it cannot be overlooked that “other rituals, in so far as they depend on superstition or other errors, constitute an obstacle to salvation.” The other document on “Sister Churches” states that expression can only be used when it is clear that the Roman Catholic Church is not sister but mother to all other Churches.

Upsetting as these two Vatican documents are, a few positive clarifying points need to be made on their behalf:

1) the documents are addressed not to the general public but primarily to professional theologians and more specifically to Asian theologians;

2) basically the declaration opposes religious relativism and reaffirms our faith that there is something unique about Jesus Christ and something special about the Catholic faith (one religion is not just as good as any other).

3) the declaration does correctly quote the teaching of Vatican II about non Christian religions: “The Church rejects nothings of what is true and holy in their religion … which often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens everyone.”

While all that is positive and true and it easy to blame the media for being inaccurate, I believe that we are responsible not only for the precise and technical words we publish but also for the general impression that we give. Not in their precise wording and intention, but in their overall impact these documents give an impression that is very close to what has been traditionally described as “heresy” or misrepresentation of Catholic belief.

I am not alone in that assessment. Cardinal Edward Cassidy, a Vatican official himself, has claimed publicly that “Dominus Jesus” does not faithfully represent the Church’s position on ecumenism and has pointed out that it was not signed by the Pope. Cardinal Carlo Martini of Milan quickly reminded his people that “salvation is possible for everyone, outside of any church, so long as they follow the will of God.” Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles immediately issued a statement pledging his unyielding support for interfaith dialogue and commenting that “the tone of ‘Dominus Jesus’ may not fully reflect the deeper understanding that has been achieved through ecumenical and interfaith dialogue.” Finally, as the document itself admits, it is Pope Paul VI who first officially introduced the use of “sister” to refer to other churches, an expression that continues to be used often by Pope John Paul II in numerous addresses and documents!

Just three days after the release of the Vatican declaration, Pope John Paul II repeated his wish for a new era of religious dialogue between Islam and Christians. He said, “I trust most sincerely that this will always be the case” that differences of religion be seen not as barriers but as means of mutual enrichment. He further said that, “Religion is the enemy of exclusion and discrimination; it seeks the good of everyone and ought always be a structure for solidarity and harmony between individuals and any people.”

Here’s my quick summary: a) It is the firm conviction of our Catholic community and tradition that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.” Jesus points to and makes present our gracious God; b) We believe that despite errors, mistakes, sinfulness and stupidity our Catholic community over 2000 years has remained substantially faithful to the scripture, sacraments, leadership and continuity of the first community of followers of Jesus; c) With other Christian Churches we hold far more truth in common than the historical differences that divide us; and, d) It continues to be our Catholic belief that not only those who belong to different Christian churches but those who know neither Christ nor the Church can well be saved in God’s gracious plan and any “impressions” given to the contrary are simply wrong.

Your Pastor,
Brian T. Joyce