CCRS Ecclesiology:What does it mean for the
Church to be Church?
Session IVRevd Dr Gareth Leyshon
Archdiocese of Cardiff
CCRS Ecclesiology
Session IV:Catholics and Other ChristiansIntercommunionInterchurch MarriagesDo we want other Christians to become
Catholic?One, Holy, Catholic and ApostolicMagisterium and Infallibility
TASK 6
What is a Christian?
Behold, the Church!
Baptism of Desire
Behold, the Church!
The Anglican Communion
Anglican Orders are “Null and Void.”Apostolicae Curae #36 (Leo XIII, 1896)
But in reality...?
But in reality...?
But in reality...?
Important Questions in Catechesis
Was this person baptised by water in the Name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit? If yes, in an Eastern Church? Was this person confirmed by
a priest or bishop who was validly ordained?
♝
TASK 7Place each religious
grouping on the appropriate zone.
Mark disputed ones.
♝
The Marks of the Church One
Everyone’s on the Onion Diagram Holy
The Body of Christ, made of sinners! Catholic
For all peoples in all ages Apostolic
Founded on the teaching and action of Christ’s 12 and bishops in succession.
Intercommunion One Bread One Body (CBCEW)
Ordinary circumstances – no, communion a sign of belief already shared .
We can receive Eucharist, Penance and Anointing from VALID ministers (Eastern Orthodox, Old Catholic, Pius X) in case of necessity.
Baptised Christians who share our sacramental beliefs can receive a sacrament if…
Intercommunion (1993)1) a grave and pressing need and2) a spontaneous request for the
sacrament and3) no access to a minister of their own
communion and4) a faith in the sacraments in harmony
with the Roman Catholic Church.
Intercommunion (OBOB)
"Admission to Holy Communion…..may be given to baptised Christians of other faith communities if there is a danger of death, or if there is some other grave and pressing need. This may at times include those who ask to receive them on a unique occasion for joy or for sorrow in the life of a family or an individual. It is for the diocesan bishop or his delegate to judge the gravity of the need and the exceptional nature of the situation."
Interchurch families The Catholic promises child will be
raised Catholic within the unity of our marriage.
Baptism also marks formal membership of the Catholic Church.
First communion is a divisive moment. Issue of Registration www.interchurchfamilies.org.uk
Because truth cannot be set aside in the name of charity.
Obstacles to Reunion
With the East: scope of papal authority status of divorced and remarried
With the West: validity of Holy Orders role of women in ministry recognition of seven sacraments
Do we want other Christians to become
Catholic? Common baptism Fullness of the means of grace From “error has no rights” to
respectful toleration. From “Heretics and
Schismatics” to separated brethern and imperfect communion.
But not pluralism!
Dominus Iesus (2000)#17 Therefore, there exists a single
Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him. The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular churches.
Dominus Iesus (2000)#17 Therefore, there exists a single
Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him. The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular churches.
Dominus Iesus (2000)#17 ... The ecclesial communities
which have not preserved the valid Episcopate and the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery, are not Churches in the proper sense; however, those who are baptized in these communities are, by Baptism, incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church.
Dominus Iesus (2000)#17 ... The ecclesial communities
which have not preserved the valid Episcopate and the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery, are not Churches in the proper sense; however, those who are baptized in these communities are, by Baptism, incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church.
Dominus Iesus (2000) The Catholic Church is the way
Christ wants his community on earth to be.
Christian groups without valid Bishops are technically
Ecclesial (“Churchy”) Communities “The Anglican Communion” “The Church is necessary for
salvation” …
No salvation outside the Church?
Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus (3rd C) Cyprian, Letter to Iubaianus #21
Fr Leonard Feeney SJ – 1940s Become Catholic or go to Hell!
No salvation outside the Church?
Imperfect Communion Other baptised Christians Christian Quakers? Salvation Army members?
Fullness of the Means of Grace
The Seven Sacraments Sacramentals Indulgences Magisterium The Bible (including
deuterocanonicals) Tradition Icons Charismatic Gifts Our Lady and the Saints
TASK 8
Report back on your visits.
The Purpose-Driven Church
Rick Warren – pages 103-107 1.Love God: WORSHIP2.Love Your Neighbour: SERVING3.Go and Make Disciples:
MISSION4.Baptise them! (Into
MEMBERSHIP)5.Teach them! (FORMATION)
Build Up Your Parish! Des Robertson1.Love God: WORSHIP2.Love Your Neighbour: MINISTRY
Not LITURGICAL ministers
3.Go and Make Disciples: MISSION4.Baptise them!
WELCOME including Catechesis
5.Teach them! DISCIPLESHIP
The Bishop of Rome Appoints Bishops
W: Political pacts E: confirms local selections
Calls Synods Issues norms TEACHES!
Magisterium Infallibility
The Bishop of Rome Infallibility
Faith and Morals•Not history or science
Must state intent to do so. “by the authority which Christ conferred
upon Peter and his Successors, in communion with the Bishops ... I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder.” [EV 62]
The Bishop of Rome Rethinking the role? (UUS 95-96)
to find a way of exercising the primacy which, while in no way renouncing what is essential to its mission, is nonetheless open to a new situation...
Church leaders and their theologians to engage with me in a patient and fraternal dialogue on this subject...
"that they may all be one ... so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (Jn 17:21)?
Presentation © Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon 2009 except for photographs included as fair use for educational purposes. It may be freely used as a Catholic educational tool.
www.drgareth.info/ccrs