Gareth Bezett

I've have taken the time to read what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about what we call The Church. Clauses 817 to 819 deal with the fact that there is division in the Body of Christ. The treatment (post Vatican II) of this topic seems very fair and even generous. This is vastly different from what many Catholics, clergy and laity, have to say on the matter.

Some of the significant points are:

• "Men on both sides were to blame" for many of the divisions
• The sin of separation does not rest with the current members of Christian communities outside the Catholic Church
• "All who have been justified in faith and baptism are incorporated into Christ"
• "Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means [sic] of salvation"
• The Catholic Church accepts us "with respect and affection as brothers"

Note that this is the official English language version of the Catholic Church's faith. The Catechism is meant to be used by local churches to create their own catechisms for instruction of the faithful.

I essentially agree with most of what the catechism has to say on the nature of The Church. Clearly, I have trouble with the doctrine of Petrine precedence (Rome is the senior church because Peter was the senior apostle and he founded the church in Rome and the Popes are his successors), but the Marian points are less troublesome for me.

Labels: theology