Catholic Replies

2 years ago

Editor’s Note: This series on Apologetics is based on the book Catholicism & Reason. Please feel free to use the series for high schoolers or adults. We will continue to welcome your questions for the column as well. You can send them either to the postal mailing address or to the email address below, and we will interrupt this series to answer them.

Special Course On Catholicism And Reason (Chapter 14)

A serious problem today is the lack of unity among Christians. The restoration of such unity is the reason that the Second Vatican Council was convened in Rome in 1962. “Ecumenism” is the word that is used to describe efforts to bring about Christian unity. Before discussing the exact meaning of this word, let us note what ecumenism does not mean.

Despite much misinformation spread over the past fifty years, ecumenism does not mean changing Catholic beliefs or watering them down. Vatican II specifically said that “Catholic belief needs to be explained more profoundly and precisely” so non-Catholic Christians can understand what we believe. Ecumenism does not mean avoiding the truth about Catholicism or deceiving others about that truth so as not to upset them. To do so is neither prudent nor charitable. How can two sides discuss important religious matters intelligently if one side hides the truth about its beliefs?

So what is ecumenism? It refers to those efforts which seek to unify Christians by stating the truth in a charitable way, by eliminating words, judgments, and actions which make discussion more difficult, and by letting “competent experts” on both sides dialogue about their differences. In other words, ecumenism seeks to overcome obstacles standing in the way of Christian unity through dialogue based on truth, honesty, and love. It is essential that both sides know the history and background of the beliefs held by each side.

From the Catholic perspective, it is necessary to state plainly the Catholic belief that it is the only Church founded by Jesus Christ. As we saw in previous lessons, that fact can be established by studying the Gospels and the history of the past two thousand years. Vatican II said that “it is through Christ’s Catholic Church alone, which is the all-embracing means of salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.” So firmly do Catholics believe this that Vatican II said anyone who knows “that the Catholic Church was made necessary by God through Jesus Christ,” but refuses to enter the Catholic Church or refuses to remain a Catholic, cannot get to Heaven.

The Council also pointed out that merely being a Catholic is not enough to get to Heaven. A member of the Church must accept and believe everything the Church teaches, must take part in Holy Mass and the sacraments, and must “persevere in charity” and love for others.

Does this mean that only Catholics can get to Heaven? No. The Council said that other Christians — Protestant and Orthodox — share many Catholic beliefs — in the Bible, in the role of Jesus as Lord and Savior, in works of mercy and love. By responding to the grace God gives them, they can also attain eternal salvation if they faithfully follow God and avoid sin.

What about non-Christians, such as Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists? Vatican II said that God wants all people to get to Heaven. It said that the Jews have a special place in the plan of salvation because God first worked through their leaders Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David in preparing the way for the coming of Jesus. It also said that even though Muslims, Buddhists, and others don’t believe that Jesus is God or that He died for all men and women, if they sincerely seek God and strive to do what God wants them to do, according to the graces and understanding God gives them, it is possible for them to get to Heaven.

The road to Christian unity is long and difficult, but it must be traveled because it is Jesus’ will that all Christians be one. Faithful Catholics can do their part to bring about this unity by prayer, holiness, truthfulness, and love. We can’t attract others to the Catholic Church unless we are good and holy Catholics ourselves, as well as courageous and loyal followers of Jesus Christ.

List of Answers:

ABRAHAM

BELIEFS

CATHOLIC

CHRISTIANS

DIALOGUE

DIFFICULT

ECUMENISM

JESUS

JEWS

LONG

PRAYER

SINCERELY

UNITY

VATICAN

Quiz:

Lack of ________________ is a serious problem among Christians today.

2._____________________ means efforts to bring about Christian unity.
True ecumenism does not mean changing or watering down Catholic ______.
It means engaging in _____________ based on truth, honesty, and love.
The Catholic Church is the only Church founded by _______, the Son of God.
The Second ___________ Council said that the Catholic Church is necessary to get to Heaven.
Merely being a _______________ is not enough to get to Heaven.
Other __________________ can get to Heaven if they respond to God’s grace.
_______ have a special place in God’s plan of salvation.
It was from them that came such leaders as __________________ and David.
Muslims and Buddhists can get to Heaven if they ___________________ seek God and show love for those of other religions.
The road to Christian unity is ____ and _________________.
Faithful Catholics can help bring about unity by ________ and holiness of life.