Friday, July 27, 2007

Archbishop Burke discusses the recent CDF Document

On this past June 29, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the office of the Holy Father which helps him "to promote and safeguard the doctrine on faith and morals in the whole Catholic world" addressed a number of questions which have been raised in the teaching about the Church, especially in what pertains to ecumenism...

Some have characterized the most recent Vatican document as a new teaching which is unfaithful to the teaching of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.

Some of the faithful of the St. Louis Archdiocese have expressed concern that the recent document represents a weakening of the Church’s commitment to the work of ecumenism.

The document makes it clear that it is only presenting the perennial teaching of the Church in response to certain questions which have been frequently raised in recent theological writings on the Church. The document addresses the questions to remedy possible confusion and doubt...
. . .
The recent document of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith does not set forth new teaching on the Church but rather enunciates the Church’s perennial teaching in responding to five questions which are frequently raised. The document also does not draw back from the Church’s responsibility for the work of ecumenism. It, rather, gives clear expression to the Catholic Church’s understanding of herself. The clear statement of the Church’s teaching about herself is indispensable to the work of ecumenism. Such clarity does not discourage ecumenical conversation but, rather, rests it upon the honesty which is necessary for all true conversation.
These are only a few excerpts of the article. The full article can be read here.

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