More Papal Bull… “If It’s Not Catholic, It’s Not A Proper Church”
The Times reports today that "The Vatican has described the Protestant and Orthodox faiths as “not proper Churches” in a document issued with the full authority of the Pope."
"The Orthodox church suffers from a wound because it does not recognise the primacy of the Pope. The wound is even more profound in Protestant denominations, and it is difficult to see how the title of ‘Church’ could possibly be attributed to them.”
Great work. Really nice. It’s difficult to see how the title of ‘Christian’ could possibly be attributed…
Technorati: Pope | Ratzinger | Catholic | Orthodox | Protestant | Division
Kester, this has always been the view of the RC church, and even more so with E. Orthodoxy. Nothing has changed except the level of tact with which this Pope approaches people…
Dana
True… Just a shame that it’s surfaced like this when, in fact, quite a lot of good work building bridges had been done.
Another reflection: http://www.liturgy.co.nz/html/worshipmatters20070714.html
“>not a proper church
Yeah, very few people know that in theology, the word “Church” can have a technical meaning. Kester, he is only pointing out that “paradox of separation and binding” that exists among Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox. Just like for you, his first goal is to love.