Fraternity-Testvériség, 1962 (40. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1962-01-01 / 1. szám

8

FRATERNITY

But will it ever come?

“Eventually, yes, over a long, long period, perhaps a number of generations”, said the Rev. Dr. Eugene Carson Blake, chief executive of the United Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.

In many quarters, entrenched hostilities remain. Deep theological and organizational chasms would have to be bridged before anything like actual union could be achieved.

Yet, “it is certain, because it is God’s will”, said the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. Arthur M. Ramsey. He, too, stressed it will take a long time.

“It will be a question of establishing always more frequent contacts . . . inspired by the greatest honesty and charity”, says Augustin Cardinal Bea, head of the recently established Vatican secretariat on Christian unity.

"INFALLIBILITY"

Among the chief differences between Protestants and Roman Catholics is the issue of church authority, particulary over what is loosely termed “papal infallibility”.

Under this doctrine, Rome maintains that since Christ promised to guide his church in truth when the Pope cannot err when speaking “ex cathedra” — from the chair — on matters of faith and morals.

Popes have invoked that authority only once since it was proclaimed in 1870 at a Council that was interrupted by war and which never got around to fully amplifying it.

With a second Vatican Council scheduled for late this year or early 1963, many observers have noted that the very calling of a council indicates the Pope doesn't stand alone in shaping church teachings and practices.

In fact, the Vatican has invited suggestions from all quarters, recognizing that the Holy Spirit plants inspiration in the humblest places of Christendom — a note familiar in Protestantism. Protestant and Orthodox observers have been invited to the Council.

Many subjects that have been problems between the two branches of the faith — religious liberty, mixed marriages, liturgical renewal, role of the laity, church authority, use of the Bible and possibilities of a common translation of scripture and other matters — are expected to come up for consideration.

Although Rome maintains that established doctrine is unchangeable, indications are that there will be clarifications and fresh interpretations that may ease some of the tensions.

To break the deadlock on church authority, many Protestant leaders think it would be necessary to restore the ancient conciliar system, whereby general church gatherings made the decisions.

Archbishop Ramsey, spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, said that if other obstacles could be removed, he would have no objection to such a conciliar system in which the Pope would be the “presiding bishop among equals”.