DALLAS (ABP) — The document issued July 10 by the Vatican was meant to clarify its doctrine of the church. But nearly a week later, its timing and language still leaves some Protestants and Catholics feeling confused or angry.
Much of the document, entitled “Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church,” was aimed to clearly define “church.” The part that incited some anger said Christian denominations outside the Roman Catholic Church are not true churches. Instead only those with a direct link to the apostles and that submit to the authority of the pope are genuine, the Vatican said.
The document said Protestant churches suffer from a “profound wound,” causing them to warrant only “Christian community” status, not that of a church. The document said the Roman Catholic Church meets the criteria for a “church” because it can trace its history directly through bishops to the original apostles. It said Eastern Orthodox churches suffer from a lesser “wound” than Protestants because, while they claim apostolic authority, they don't recognize the primacy of the pope.
“This is nothing but a naked attempt by Pope Benedict to ‘own' Jesus by virtue of the Catholic Church considering the apostle Peter as its leader,” said American talk-show host Roland Martin. He told CNN July 13 that the Vatican document divides the community of faith rather than supports it.
There's little new in the Vatican document, however. Most of the contentious statements were also included in “Dominus Iesus,” a document issued in 2000 by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger before he became the current pope, Benedict XVI. According to Reuter's, the purpose of July 10 document was to correct “erroneous or ambiguous” interpretations of the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s, which opened the door for ecumenical dialogue with non-Catholic Christian bodies.
Some critics say the divisive nature of the latest document is ironic, since Pope Benedict has portrayed himself as a supporter of Christian unity. The day after he was elected pope, he delivered a speech in which he said God will judge him for what he does to foster Christian unity.
One key Protestant leader added his criticism of the document, which he said “makes us question the seriousness with which the Roman Catholic Church takes its dialogues with Reformed family and other families of the church.” Rev. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, offered that view in a letter to Cardinal Walter Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, according to Catholic World News.
Father Frank Ruff, as the official Catholic liaison to the Southern Baptist Convention, is familiar with the sometimes stark differences between Protestants and Catholics. Although the timing of the Vatican document surprised Ruff, he said, its “in your face” message could be beneficial in the long run.
“The result could be positive if it leads to greater discussion between denominations,” Ruff said. “By saying ‘here's what we believe' and asking ‘what do you believe?' division can be lessened down the road.”
Ruff clarified Benedict's position in the document.
“He's not saying that ecumenical Christian communities can't receive salvation from Jesus,” Ruff said. “He's merely saying linkage to the apostles is one of the essential elements of the Christian church.”
Ruff said the document's statements about “apostolic succession” are consistent with the traditional position of the church. The issue is newsworthy now only because Benedict chose to focus on the technical definition of apostolic succession, which he pulled from earlier church documents, Ruff said.
Controversy aside, Pope Benedict has already done more for Christian dialogue than predecessor John Paul II, Ruff said.
At least one Southern Baptist leader agreed the Vatican statement is helpful.
Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said in his blog that he's not offended or surprised by the document, since it's consistent with previous statements from the Vatican. He said he welcomes the pope's clarity on the topic and suggested evangelicals be equally clear about their disagreements with Catholic doctrine.
“The Roman Catholic Church is willing to go so far as to assert that any church that denies the papacy is no true church,” Mohler said. “Evangelicals should be equally candid in asserting that any church defined by the claims of the papacy is no true church.”
“I actually appreciate the Pope's concern. If he is right, we are endangering our souls and the souls of our church members. Of course, I am convinced that he is not right — not right on the papacy, not right on the sacraments, not right on the priesthood, not right on the gospel, not right on the church.”
Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said he was happy Benedict made his position clear. Patterson said that, in the past, Protestants were lead to believe the Vatican was willing to compromise parts of its doctrine in order to seek greater cooperation.
“Benedict XVI's clarification makes crystal clear the position of the Magisterium — that all churches not adhering to Rome are false churches,” he said. “While I certainly disagree with his conclusion I am hopeful that evangelicals, in general, and Baptists, in particular, will see that ecumenism is precisely what it always has been — a dead-end street.”
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