Called to be One 10: Relationships Between Roman Catholics and Others

This post relates to the tenth critical issue in Called to be One: What Now?, Relationships between Roman Catholics and Others .

The assumption underlying much of this paper, can again be seen here.  The default position seems to be to assess everything as a move towards or away from global unity.  So, we learn that only agreement at the highest levels can change official ecumenical relations.

So, what?  Local Catholic congregations play a full and valued role in local ecumenism.  Catholics contribute a grounded and practical approach to ecumenism.  Their work on Receptive Ecumenism  as well as Spiritual Ecumenism  and bilateral conversations, is detailed and helpful, demonstrating commitment to ecumenism at all levels.

Whilst I agree the local level needs to be heard, I question the perceived restrictions on local Catholics, implied in the last paragraph.  All churches impose restrictions on local congregations and can seem just as intractable as the Catholics.

I do not disagree there might be some increase in tensions between local and international Catholics about unity, as there seems to be a general tightening of centralised authority in the Catholic Church.  But this should not be taken too seriously because local churches have in practice a lot of autonomy.

Protestants should remember the Catholic Church is a single church with 1 billion members.  Changes in policy towards, for example, sharing of communion, have to be in the interests of the whole church and this will not be easy to achieve.  So, we should value the extensive, albeit limited, freedoms that are already available to us.