CONTROVERSIAL statements by a Vatican congregation about Protestant churches may yet prove to be a blessing in disguise, Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane said last week.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith document, Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church, was released on July 10 and focused partly on the Church’s papal primacy doctrine.
The document reaffirmed that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church, even if elements of truth can be found in separated churches and communities.
It said that, according to Catholic doctrine, other Christian communities should not be called “churches”.
The statement brought swift criticism from Protestant leaders.
Archbishop Bathersby, who is co-chair of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), said the congregation’s re-emphasis of the Second Vatican Council statement on the meaning of Church, had created high-level interest among both Catholics and Protestants worldwide.
“Cardinal (Walter) Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, quickly stated that Rome remains committed to dialogue with other Christian denominations,” Archbishop Bathersby said.
Archbishop Bathersby said Bishop John Baycroft of the Anglican Church of Canada and a consultant for IARCCUM wrote in a letter to the media: “It (the statement) is actually rather helpful. It says nothing whatsoever which is new or remarkable, but it does attempt yet again, to make clear the Catholic approach to ecumenism”.
Archbishop Bathersby said: “The Roman statement may yet prove to be a blessing in disguise.
“Certainly the pain felt by certain Protestant churches needs to be addressed, but honest ecumenical dialogue should always take place in an atmosphere where both partners seek to speak the truth in love.
“I believe the statement was seeking to do that.
“In the end the Roman clarification may yet prove helpful to dialogues yet to commence, as well as those already taking place that will most certainly continue into the future.”
