Common Christian Catechism

Could a “Common Christian Catechism” be a catalyst to reinvigorate efforts towards the unity of the church? Early this month Cardinal Walter (president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) proposed the creation of a Common Catechism. I believe the crafting of such a document could provide a great experimental laboratory for the churches. Can the churches find a way to declare a common witness to the essentials of the gospel? To a high degree the way for this kind of agreement has been hammered out during the second half of the last century. But there are some signs for concern when we listen to the proposal from Cardinal Kasper.

To begin with, there are some important players that are left out, or not mentioned. This proposal was introduced at a meeting with Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed churches. Those omitted include among others the Orthodox, Pentecostal, Evangelical and African churches. Cardinal Kasper said that the catechism will be written  "in consultation with our partners,". It will not be such a difficult task to write this catechism if only the traditional partners are included in this effort. The real challenge and added value would be to include the whole spectrum of Christians. 

I can see a monumental opportunity for the churches to draft and craft a “witness of hope” for the Church and the world. If all are included and we invite the free and full intervention of the Holy Spirit, this effort could become a powerful catalytic for change. 

Is this the right time for this effort? Are the present leaders of the ecumenical movement the right leaders for this endeavor? Or Should we wait for future generations? Does using the word “catechism” actually says something to us?

Let's pray and hope that Spirit is stirring up something here!

Carlos M

Comments

[Nicholas Jesson]

Carlos,

Your concern regarding the wider Christian community's participation in such a project is important to keep in mind. However, there is a great difference between the historic dialogues and those that are emerging now. Dialogues with evangelicals, pentecostals, and others are at a different stage than the historic dialogues that for over 40 years have worked diligently to identify an enormous consensus in Christian faith. It is this great consensus that makes possible and desirable such a catechism. The desire to kick-start the ecumenical movement in this way reflects a perception that the malaise in the movement right now is because most of the consensus remains hidden in dusty documents produced by the dialogues and never read even by other theologians. This great consensus must become part of the formal teaching of all our churches before we can move forward.

The absence of the Orthodox on this list is simply because the Orthodox would not be able to approved a common teaching document until after the resumption of full visible unity. This is not a snub. Cardinal Kasper is most inclined towards Orthodox views. This project is partly to ensure that the rest of the Roman Catholic community does not abandon the dialogues with the Western churches.

In answer to your questions about whether we should wait for further generations, I must only remind you that all of our churches agree that willful separation of the churches is sinful. Pursue not a divisive course. Surely it is equally sinful to fail to act when the invitation is presented?

I do have concerns about this project, but not concerns about whether it should go forward. I wonder whether a catechism is the most appropriate form for such a project. Catechisms are sometimes understood as a primarily educational tool, but one that is fraught with difficulties. However, catechisms also have the virtue of being one of the few genres of theological literature that are used by all churches, and which can be considered an official document of a church. It can serve as a confession in a Reformed or Lutheran church, or stand beside papal encyclicals and the church councils in the Roman Catholic Church, and it might even find a place within Anglican polity. This project is not about writing a joint educational curriculum, it is about drafting a formal and official doctrinal text shared between our churches. Whatever form it takes, it would be a remarkable leap forwards.

Nick Jesson
RC ecumenical officer
Diocese of Saskatoon

[Carlos Malave]

Dear Nick: Thank you for your comment on the blog. I do agree with your points. Im hopeful that this new approach will be fruitful as we, as you have highlighted, move from years of arduous theological work, to a strong emphasis on bringing all this to the spiritual life of the parish.

[Neal Presa]

Carlos,
As one of the WARC delegates to the Symposium, I can say that
the symposium, on the final day, decided to explore the direction of a joint commentary on the Apostles' Creed, with baptism as a common basis, rather than a Catechism, which would prove more problemmatic and difficult, particularly the confessional status that a Catechism would have in all of our traditions.

The reason the 5 communions were present (and not others) was because following Vatican II, the RC set bilateral dialogues with the historic Protestant communions stemming from the 16th cent. Reformation as a direct outcome of Vatican II's decree Unitatis Redintegratio. Cardinal Kasper's book, the title of which served as the banner for the Symposium, explores lessons and future opportunities of bilateral dialogues among the 5 communions.

Hope this helps.

Neal Presa