The head of the Vatican's office for Christian unity has responded to concerns among Europe’s Protestant church leaders over the Vatican’s recent statement asserting that the Catholic Church is the only true church of Jesus Christ.
The 16-page document, ratified by Pope Benedict XVI in July, stated that the Roman Catholic Church is “the one true Church of Christ.”
It also claimed that “communities emerging from the Reformation” – the Protestant and Anglican Churches – are “not Churches in the proper sense of the word.”
In an attempt to temper the assertion, Cardinal Walter Kasper, the president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, told reporters at the Third European Ecumenical Assembly currently taking place in Sibiu, Romania, that by claiming other communities “were not churches in the proper sense, we did not mean that these others were somehow false churches.”
“We meant that the EKD (Evangelical Church in Germany) or the Church of England, for example, have a different understanding of what the church is,” the ecumenical leader stated.
Bishop Wolfgang Huber, chair of the council of the EKD, said he regretted the negative phrasing of the Vatican’s statement in deeming some churches to be “not churches in the proper sense.” He added, however, that he was encouraged to hear Kasper’s more positive description of communities having their own understanding of what it means to be the church.
“We continue on our journey together,” said Huber, “with the Holy Spirit leading us.”
The president of the Conference of European Churches, the Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, also pushed back concerns over the Vatican statement.
While noting that the statement did not reflect a Protestant view of the Church or of Protestantism, De Clermont said the Vatican’s assertions were “nothing new” and should not be given too much weight.
“Ecumenical life does not issue from the summit, but from the base of the church,” he said.
Currently, some 2,000 delegates from churches across Europe are gathered for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly to share their vision and hopes for renewal and unity on a continent that both secular and religious press have described as “post-Christian” and thoroughly secularized.
The assembly, which has as its theme "The light of Christ shines upon all. Hope for renewal and unity in Europe," is being organized jointly by the Roman Catholic bishops' conference of Europe (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) – which groups most Anglican, Protestant and Orthodox churches in Europe.
According to reports, European identity, other faiths, migration, creation, justice and peace will be on the agenda for the Sept. 4-9 assembly, alongside questions of unity, spirituality and witness.
Delegates will also share in prayer and worship from different traditions; discover the Christian heritage and hopes of Romania – a nation which looks forward to playing a full part in Europe; and set an agenda for common witness and action across Europe at a time of tremendous challenge.
Christian Post reporter Eric Young contributed to this report.
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All will be saved by trusting in Jesus alone for he is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
It seems that we will probably never agree with one another concerning salvation, church, and so on; it is God himself that speaks to the heart of man and performs his beautiful work of conversion. But when one reviews the New Testament and does a word search for the word “scriptures”; you can see that Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Philip, Paul, Apollos, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jesus himself always used scripture to demonstrate their position and beliefs (Acts 8:35, Acts 17:2, 11, Acts 18:24, 28, Matthew 4:4, John 10:35, 2Peter 3:16, etc.).
I never have said that Catholics are going to hell! That is not fair my friend. We have both been debating spiritual things with passion and yes, sometimes out of frustration, however the truth of the matter is this: not everyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ; is. Does not Rome condemn others with anathemas who disagree with her? Not every Catholic or Protestant is going to be saved; that is a no brainer. Regardless of what church one attends, Jesus said the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares will be together until the end. I really don’t know how you interpret the end times but according to scripture Jesus is not going to receive a welcome party when he returns.
All will be saved by trusting in Jesus alone for he is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1). The scriptures declare why some will be lost; “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:12.
cmbcav31:
I am surprised to hear you say that the scriptures contain errors? Is this something you heard or something you researched for yourself? That is absurd; listen to what God himself has said: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:17, 18). It seems that in your search for truth; you did not search long for it.
Truthandjusticed1:
Christians continue to protest against Rome because she has set herself up against the word of God and has usurped the authority of God in the sight of men.
1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
It is sad that some are willing to set the teachings of men above the word of God. Bottom line; popery is an invention of men seeking to rule over their fellow man. All who have a substantial knowledge of scripture and history knows full well that Rome has only one objective: global domination.
There is only ONE TRUE CHURCH and Jesus is building it!!! I believe and always have that the Lord has a remnant in every denomination. I also don't believe that just because you are in church every time the door is open that you are saved. I know in whom I have believed and Jesus knows those who are his.
Shooter38
Are we reading the same article? who needs who? Are we on the same site? Catholics are considered Christian on this site. With regards to Catholic teachings there is a link on the home page that you can go to if you have questions.
There are none so blind that will not see,check out-athanasiuscm.blogspot.com/2007/05/quid-roma-dixit-examining-nostra--again the catholic church shows itself for what it truely is,and it isnt of God,history is replete with further examples of mans inhuman behavior to man God doesnt aprove of there claimes yet he alows those to dig there hole and jump in it if they wish to you ether beleve in scripture or you beleve the rantings of those who proclam to speak as God,hmmm lets see i think i would rather beleve what the scriptures say than what a man in a funny church has to say
I am Catholic, after trying out different faiths and churches decided Rome was the best for me and living near Capitol Hill, where 8 Catholic Churches that I know off surround it. So it is 8 hills that surround Capitol Hill Whenever you go to the Fathers of the Church, it is "Roma Dixit" like St. Augustine said. And if you study them, not only "Sola Scriptura" you will find out that the Scriptures are full of errors and what St. Paul says, St. John says it is not like that and also remember that the Book of Revelation was written before the Gospel of John, so is John condemning his words and what about Luther wanting to take the Books of James, Revelations, Romans and Hebrews from the original canon because they did not recommend his doctrine of justification, which later was mended by the current Pope when he was Cardinal Ratzinger. And also what about the nuances of the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, that were translated into Latin and still have not decided which words to use. Salvation whatever you do and/ or say is in the Catholic Church if you study the Scriptures right and church history right too. By the way, there is a great book, "History of the End of the World" by Jonathan Kirsch, about the Book of Revelations, recommended by Karen Armstrong and Jack Miles. Besides I do read the books from the 200 section of the Martin Luther King Library in WDC and soon will start reading Kathryn Kuhlman, which many gnostics recommend her and also Benny Hinn and many other people in the healing ministry. So "Salvation is in the Catholic Church" but remember the Church of England calling the Australian Aborigines and the African Bantu and other tribes heathen, isn't that tit for tat. "In the house of My Father, there are many mansions....."
her'es all of it in nutshell // Jack t chick , publisher of christian tracts for over 30+ years( they're the one in mini comic book form)also wrote a book which can read online for free called "SMOKESCREENS". In following truth and justice1"s Q?? at the end of his comment // .... the evangelical world (protestants) have been duped , blinded , schmoozed, into thinking that the RCC is some kind of distant in the family cousin that has lost some of his (actually HER way), but are still in the faith .......... NOTHING , NOTHING exists in the RCC that your would want to lead someone to faith alone in Jesus Christ to . read the book that can leave you in shock for literally days .. i don't get a dime for telling anyone this info .... just read the book & you'll see just how evil the RCC is . pls don't even blow that smoke about them carrying the auricles of Christ for hundreds of years .... if they knew the truth they would have never kept it from anyone // the dark ages were really dark for a very good reason // but then why would you want to share the wealth w/ everyone if you could keep it all yourself .... marble statues cost a lot of $$$ -bye
Truthandjustice1:
Why not accept Christ’s invitation to come out?
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues – verse 4” (Read the entire chapter of Rev. 18).
"All are welcome at my Father's table."
The old ways are still alive.
No surprise, you have just confirmed what scripture has said all along: “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:1-8).
wher'e etmartin name // its gone now
hey etmartin // you better get your mind right pal // if you think for one minute there's an ounce of truth to what comes out of rome, your are more deceived than you would ever think this side of eternity // i as a former RC finally picked up my bible and started reading it // WOW // the blinders came off // the RCC changed the 10 commandments ( how else could they adore mary) // they worship a host which has babylonian cultic symbols on it (IHS) // also do you really think jesus comes down from heaven and crawls on that alter to be sacrificed again at the beck-and-call of the priest // YOU BOUGHT THE BIG LIE // get out while you still are alive // sorry no purgatory // here's a novel idea// buy a bible // don't tell the priest you're reading it // if you graduated HS you ca figure out what GOD is saying to you // throw out all the holy pictures, mass cards, dead flowers , etc. & finally get the salvation that Christ actually has waiting for you since the foundation of the world
Truthandjustice1:
In our past discussions which covered several topics and lasted several days you have yet to support your beliefs (which are really Rome’s belief) from scripture. In them, I have always defended my position from scripture and not by any denomination but I understand that now you have another stage where you try, unsuccessfully; to convince others that Rome teaches the truth. As in our past conversations you make everything personal instead of discussing the topic at hand.
Protestants as a whole may agree to disagree when it comes to secondary issues, yet they would all agree to the essentials of the Christian faith:
1) Salvation by faith alone, 2) Salvation by grace alone, 3) Salvation through Christ alone, 4) Salvation declared by God’s Word alone. As I have mentioned several times before, this Christian (Adventist) only holds to scripture as the basis of my beliefs. I do not believe in Ellen White. Since you apparently forgot, I thought you needed to hear it again. Unlike your position, I do not need a church or a magisterial counsel to save me; that has been done for me by Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5). As we continue in our conversations, let’s try to discuss the topic at hand and not set up straw men to make ourselves feel better.
the fact that the vatican is still spinning over this story is proof that they are losing their argument that salvation comes through the roman catholic church.salvation comes through the atoning blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross.that one act and only that one act is what brought salvation to the world.it is blasphamy to think that after Jesus died for us on the cross that somehow doing "penance"is what brings forgiveness.or that praying some pre-memorized prayers on some beads brings us atonement.Jesus did say something about how pagans babble in wordy prayers,many catholics have a true heart for Jesus yet they are being led astray by a false church who bases almost all of their dogma on the infalability of a man(the pope)and what ever whims come to him.if you study your old testament you will see that the power structure of the catholic church mirrors that of ancient israel,with a priest class that acts as an intercessor between us and God.that is old covenant thinking,Jesus set us free from such needs, and to insist on any part of your faith being based on what an institution tells you as opposed to what the bible tells you is just falling victim to false teaching and doctrine.remember that the bible says that salvation is not found in any other name but Jesus,and that we are to discern the spirit of any gospel being preached to you,and if it different than the one preached by the apostles do not believe it.