What Ecumenism Is and Is Not
In John’s Gospel, Jesus addresses the religious leaders of his day, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also” (Jn. 5:19). Though Jesus Christ is God, He is perfectly obedient to the Father. What does that teach us about the need to be obedient?
Both inside and outside the Church, far too many believe they have “great ideas” that in reality conflict with Catholic teaching. This is the mistake of our first parents in the Garden of Eden. Our job is to be obedient, to listen to the word of God, to adhere to the timeless teachings of the Church. If we do that, we surely will “bear fruit that will last.”
How do I know this? Because Jesus Christ said so!
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. (Jn. 15:1-5)
We see this passage lived out in the lives of the saints. The saints take Christ at His word—that should tell us all something! We do not have “better ideas” than the Gospel and Church teaching. And if we as Catholics stick with the program, then we too will become holy people who impact the world, just as the saints have for two thousand years.
After proclaiming His obedience, Jesus goes on to tell the religious leaders who oppose Him that if they do not hear His voice, they will not enter eternal life. This message is clear, and it holds true to this very day: Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. There is one door that leads to eternal life. Jesus was very clear about this reality, and so we must be clear.
Catholics are not doing the world any favors when we, in the name of “ecumenism,” do not make Jesus’ message clear that the salvation of mankind comes only through Christ. For those who through no fault of their own do not know Christ in this life, God in His mercy will judge them. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. This does not downplay the urgency and requirement for us as Catholics to spread the message of the Gospel. It is our duty. Therefore, we must be crystal clear.
Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (Jn. 10:7-11)
Over the past hundred years or so, the Catholic Church has engaged in what is commonly referred to as ecumenism. We have seen it play out in many forms, some effective and some not.
It is important to note that the Catholic practice of ecumenism does not mean making concessions when it comes to Church teaching. A proper interpretation of ecumenism includes developing a friendship with those with whom you do not agree on religious teaching. Amicable discourse between Christian Churches is important. When serious disagreements come up, the two parties are able to say to each other, “Let’s agree to disagree,” and continue their friendship and communication, thereby allowing the Holy Spirit to continue working.
Catholics ought to practice ecumenism in this way: by never watering down Church teaching, by extending a hand of friendship to all people of different religions, and by being a good example of the sacramental Christian life. In time, our witness will speak volumes. Example is often the best teacher.
This is how we are to evangelize the non-Catholic world. We aren’t going to argue non-Catholics into the doors of the Church. But our uncompromising witness of the Gospel and the Church’s teaching will make the world stop and think long and hard.
I have watched this play out over my years of serving with Mother Teresa’s sisters. The Missionaries of Charity are uncompromisingly Catholic, yet they never preach. The sisters do all their “talking” by their actions. And their witness of an uncompromising Catholic life literally stops traffic—even in New York City!
Christ’s message in John’s Gospel is crystal clear, and He instructs us to be crystal clear as well. So the question we must ask ourselves as Catholics is: In the name of “not offending” others, of being “politically correct,” are we diluting the Gospel message and Church teaching?
Jesus never did this, and in turn He had enemies. We are told in the Beatitudes that, if we follow Christ, then we will have enemies, too. This is the reality!
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Mt. 5:10-12)
The doors of the Catholic Church are open to all, but the Church is not ours to manipulate and her teachings are not ours to change. It’s all about clarity with charity. There is no mercy without truth. We are not doing anyone any favors by watering down Church teaching. It’s all written down. Read it like it is, and proclaim it from the rooftops!
Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
