Unity: Special Problems, Dogmatic and Moral

UNITY: SPECIAL PROBLEMS, DOGMATIC AND MORAL T HE Bishop of Darwin, Australia, is reported to have said, on his way back from the Council, that some modern theologians are turning somersaults backwards in their anxiety to please non-catholics. He pleaded with the orthodox theologians to take up their pens in order to off-set such writings.1 This statement merely puts into words what so many of us have been thinking-and experiencing-over a number of years, namely, that too many of our modern theologians are trying to bring into being a new ' situation ' theology , to fit modern needs. We are frequently told, either in so many words or by means of the broadest hints, that orthodox theology, especially if it takes the shape of scholasticism, is one of the main obstacles to reunion. The impression is given that, if only we would adapt our theology, both in concept and in language, to ecumenical needs, we would soon discover that the fundamentals of our Catholic position do not differ so very much from those of our separated brethren. Instead of attacking such statements directly, the present article is an attempt to examine some of the more fundamental dogmatic and moral problems which face both sides in the ecumenical movement and which must be dealt with if we are to hope, one day, to bring back to the unity of the true Church those who are at present outside it. However, before we can deal with these specific problems certain preparatory remarks must be made, even at the risk of giving offence in certain quarters. Not one of us has any doubt about the value of a true ecumenical dialogue. For us, as Catholics, it implies the continuation of the mission entrusted to the Apostles, a mission which will continue to the end of 1 Universe and Catholic Times, Jan. ~th, 1968. 599 600 DAVID L. GREENSTOCK time and which has for its sole object the one fold under the one shepherd. There should be no need to point out the demand for absolute sincerity in all our dealings with non-catholics and the reunion question. This sincerity implies many things, but two of them are fundamental. We should not raise false hopes by giving the impression that, with a little good will on both sides, reunion is just around the corner. Nor should we give the false impression that such reunion can be attained without complete unity in the faith. It is distressing, to say the least, to notice that some Catholic theologians do not seem to realise the importance of this. I am not accusing anyone of deliberate insincerity, but in certain modern writings there is a lack of appreciation of the fact that sincerity means absolute truth and that it is the truth alone which brings true freedom.2 It is interesting to notice that non-catholic writers are becoming daily more aware of the need for this sincerity as identified with truth. There is a growing consciousness among them of the differences in fundamentals which separate the various sects from each other and from the Church of Rome, together with a realisation of the importance of the role of theology in the ecumenical dialogue. Some examples of this will not be out of place, since some Catholic writers have not yet caught up with non-catholics in this matter, and seem to have the impression that many of the doctrinal differences of the past have lost much of their actuality nowadays. In fact, the opposite is the truth. The ecumenical movement has brought about a re-affirmation of certain doctrinal positions in non-catholic circles. We may surely take the word of the President of the Lund Conference for this. Bishop Brilioth of Upsala (Sweden) said in his presidential address: It is remarkable that the ecumenical movement has had as a parallel , perhaps partly as a result, a great revival of confessional con- " C£: Cardinal Bea's article in Nouvelle Revue Theologique, (Feb. ~. 196~ )84. UNITY: SPECIAL PROBLEMS, DOGMATIC AND MORAL 601 sciousness ... a re-affirmation of doctrinal positions which seemed to have lost their actuality.3 And Dr. Visser't Hooft used a phrase...