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The other declaration published today—Dominus Iesus—is largely a reprimand of Catholic theologians who "have argued that all religions may be equally valid ways of salvation." According to the declaration, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is concerned about "the rapid spread of the relativistic and pluralistic mentality" among theologians. It points out that Catholics must "firmly believe" in the "unicity" (unique nature) of the Catholic Church and "in an historical continuity between the church founded by Christ and the Catholic Church." The declaration adds further that while there can be "many elements of sanctification and truth" in other churches and ecclesial communities, "they derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church."

According to one leading Italian newspaper, La Stampa, of Turin, the note from Cardinal Ratzinger means that "the churches born of the Protestant Reformation are automatically excluded from the list of 'sister churches'."

The Repubblica newspaper in Rome states: "With this definition, the Reformed and Lutheran churches are reduced to a lower level. To say this, half a century after the Second Vatican Council, is a step backwards."

In Geneva Paraic Reamonn, press officer for the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, which has 215 Protestant churches as members, told ENI: "Vatican II's statement that the one church of Jesus Christ 'subsists' in the Roman Catholic Church was widely recognized as opening up an ecumenically important distinction between the Christian church and the Church of Rome. Dominus Iesus is part of a sustained effort by Catholic conservatives to deny this, and to return to what is, even in Catholic terms, an over-simple identification of the two. Again, Cardinal Ratzinger's denial that the relationship of the Roman Catholic Church with Orthodox churches is a relationship 'between sister churches' is hard to reconcile with papal statements, even by the present Pope, that his note itself quotes."

It is not easy to see how these documents are consistent with the letter of Vatican II or with subsequent ecumenical progress. They are certainly not consistent with the spirit of Vatican II, and will cause widespread irritation among Catholics."

The world's leading ecumenical organization, the World Council of Churches (WCC), also based in Geneva, reacted to Dominus Iesus by affirming in a statement "the importance of genuine ecumenical dialogue, and of common Christian witness on the problems facing the world today."

Dr Tom Best, a theologian and WCC staff member, said in the WCC statement: "All churches have gained enormously from the recent entry—through the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s—of the Roman Catholic Church into the ecumenical movement. Within the framework of the WCC, and in the wider ecumenical movement, many sensitive conversations are underway about the relationships of the churches to one another. What a loss if these were hindered—or even damaged—by language which precludes further discussion of the issues. In addition, one would hope for an acknowledgement of the many positive developments in common Christian confession, witness and service which have happened within the ecumenical movement over the past 100 years."

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October 23 2000, Vol. 44, No. 12