Appreciating the
endowments present among other Christians
47.
Dialogue does not extend exclusively to matters of doctrine but engages the
whole person; it is also a dialogue of love. The Council has stated:
"Catholics must joyfully acknowledge and esteem the truly Christian
endowments from our common heritage which are to be found among our separated
brothers and sisters. It is right and salutary to recognize the riches of
Christ and virtuous works in the lives of others who are bearing witness to
Christ, sometimes even to the shedding of their blood. For God is always
wonderful in his works and worthy of admiration".79
48.
The relationships which the members of the Catholic Church have established
with other Christians since the Council have enabled us to discover what God is
bringing about in the members of other Churches and Ecclesial Communities. This
direct contact, at a variety of levels, with pastors and with the members of
these Communities has made us aware of the witness which other Christians bear
to God and to Christ. A vast new field has thus opened up for the whole
ecumenical experience, which at the same time is the great challenge of our
time. Is not the twentieth century a time of great witness, which extends
"even to the shedding of blood"? And does not this witness also
involve the various Churches and Ecclesial Communities which take their name
from Christ, Crucified and Risen?
Such a joint witness of
holiness, as fidelity to the one Lord, has an ecumenical potential
extraordinarily rich in grace. The Second Vatican Council made it clear that
elements present among other Christians can contribute to the edification of
Catholics: "Nor should we forget that whatever is wrought by the grace of
the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our separated brothers and sisters can
contribute to our own edification. Whatever is truly Christian never conflicts
with the genuine interests of the faith; indeed, it can always result in a more
ample realization of the very mystery of Christ and the Church".80
Ecumenical dialogue, as a true dialogue of salvation, will certainly encourage
this process, which has already begun well, to advance towards true and full
communion.
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