CCRS Ecclesiology:What does it mean for the

Church to be Church?

Session IVRevd Dr Gareth Leyshon

Archdiocese of Cardiff

CCRS Ecclesiology

Session IV:Catholics and Other ChristiansIntercommunionInterchurch MarriagesDo we want other Christians to become

Catholic?One, Holy, Catholic and ApostolicMagisterium and Infallibility

TASK 6

What is a Christian?

Behold, the Church!

Baptism of Desire

Behold, the Church!

The Anglican Communion

Anglican Orders are “Null and Void.”Apostolicae Curae #36 (Leo XIII, 1896)

But in reality...?

But in reality...?

But in reality...?

Important Questions in Catechesis

Was this person baptised by water in the Name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit? If yes, in an Eastern Church? Was this person confirmed by

a priest or bishop who was validly ordained?

♝

TASK 7Place each religious

grouping on the appropriate zone.

Mark disputed ones.

♝

The Marks of the Church One

Everyone’s on the Onion Diagram Holy

The Body of Christ, made of sinners! Catholic

For all peoples in all ages Apostolic

Founded on the teaching and action of Christ’s 12 and bishops in succession.

Intercommunion One Bread One Body (CBCEW)

Ordinary circumstances – no, communion a sign of belief already shared .

We can receive Eucharist, Penance and Anointing from VALID ministers (Eastern Orthodox, Old Catholic, Pius X) in case of necessity.

Baptised Christians who share our sacramental beliefs can receive a sacrament if…

Intercommunion (1993)1) a grave and pressing need and2) a spontaneous request for the

sacrament and3) no access to a minister of their own

communion and4) a faith in the sacraments in harmony

with the Roman Catholic Church.

Intercommunion (OBOB)

"Admission to Holy Communion…..may be given to baptised Christians of other faith communities if there is a danger of death, or if there is some other grave and pressing need. This may at times include those who ask to receive them on a unique occasion for joy or for sorrow in the life of a family or an individual. It is for the diocesan bishop or his delegate to judge the gravity of the need and the exceptional nature of the situation."

Interchurch families The Catholic promises child will be

raised Catholic within the unity of our marriage.

Baptism also marks formal membership of the Catholic Church.

First communion is a divisive moment. Issue of Registration www.interchurchfamilies.org.uk

Because truth cannot be set aside in the name of charity.

Obstacles to Reunion

With the East: scope of papal authority status of divorced and remarried

With the West: validity of Holy Orders role of women in ministry recognition of seven sacraments

Do we want other Christians to become

Catholic? Common baptism Fullness of the means of grace From “error has no rights” to

respectful toleration. From “Heretics and

Schismatics” to separated brethern and imperfect communion.

But not pluralism!

Dominus Iesus (2000)#17 Therefore, there exists a single

Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him. The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular churches.

Dominus Iesus (2000)#17 Therefore, there exists a single

Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him. The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular churches.

Dominus Iesus (2000)#17 ... The ecclesial communities

which have not preserved the valid Episcopate and the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery, are not Churches in the proper sense; however, those who are baptized in these communities are, by Baptism, incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church.

Dominus Iesus (2000)#17 ... The ecclesial communities

which have not preserved the valid Episcopate and the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery, are not Churches in the proper sense; however, those who are baptized in these communities are, by Baptism, incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church.

Dominus Iesus (2000) The Catholic Church is the way

Christ wants his community on earth to be.

Christian groups without valid Bishops are technically

Ecclesial (“Churchy”) Communities “The Anglican Communion” “The Church is necessary for

salvation” …

No salvation outside the Church?

Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus (3rd C) Cyprian, Letter to Iubaianus #21

Fr Leonard Feeney SJ – 1940s Become Catholic or go to Hell!

No salvation outside the Church?

Imperfect Communion Other baptised Christians Christian Quakers? Salvation Army members?

Fullness of the Means of Grace

The Seven Sacraments Sacramentals Indulgences Magisterium The Bible (including

deuterocanonicals) Tradition Icons Charismatic Gifts Our Lady and the Saints

TASK 8

Report back on your visits.

The Purpose-Driven Church

Rick Warren – pages 103-107 1.Love God: WORSHIP2.Love Your Neighbour: SERVING3.Go and Make Disciples:

MISSION4.Baptise them! (Into

MEMBERSHIP)5.Teach them! (FORMATION)

Build Up Your Parish! Des Robertson1.Love God: WORSHIP2.Love Your Neighbour: MINISTRY

Not LITURGICAL ministers

3.Go and Make Disciples: MISSION4.Baptise them!

WELCOME including Catechesis

5.Teach them! DISCIPLESHIP

The Bishop of Rome Appoints Bishops

W: Political pacts E: confirms local selections

Calls Synods Issues norms TEACHES!

Magisterium Infallibility

The Bishop of Rome Infallibility

Faith and Morals•Not history or science

Must state intent to do so. “by the authority which Christ conferred

upon Peter and his Successors, in communion with the Bishops ... I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder.” [EV 62]

The Bishop of Rome Rethinking the role? (UUS 95-96)

to find a way of exercising the primacy which, while in no way renouncing what is essential to its mission, is nonetheless open to a new situation...

Church leaders and their theologians to engage with me in a patient and fraternal dialogue on this subject...

"that they may all be one ... so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (Jn 17:21)?

Presentation © Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon 2009 except for photographs included as fair use for educational purposes. It may be freely used as a Catholic educational tool.

www.drgareth.info/ccrs