Christian Unity as Addressed at Vatican II

From Lumen Gentium, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council:

15. The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. (14*) For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. (15*) They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches [Orthodox Churches who adhere to the sacramental episcopacy] or ecclesiastical communities [the lay communities of Protestantism]. Many of them rejoice in the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion toward the Virgin Mother of God.(16*) They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood. In all of Christ's disciples the Spirit arouses the desire to be peacefully united, in the manner determined by Christ, as one flock under one shepherd, and He prompts them to pursue this end. (17*) Mother Church never ceases to pray, hope and work that this may come about. She exhorts her children to purification and renewal so that the sign of Christ may shine more brightly over the face of the earth.

A snippet from #3 of Unitatis Redintegratio, Decree on Ecumenism: 

Moreover, some and even very many of the significant elements and endowments which together go to build up and give life to the Church itself, can exist outside the visible boundaries of the Catholic Church: the written word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, and visible elements too. All of these, which come from Christ and lead back to Christ, belong by right to the one Church of Christ.

The brethren divided from us also use many liturgical actions of the Christian religion. These most certainly can truly engender a life of grace in ways that vary according to the condition of each Church or Community. These liturgical actions must be regarded as capable of giving access to the community of salvation.

I have deliberately highlighted passages here that affirm the universal role of baptism as the foundation for unity among Christians. The Catholic Church recognizes baptism as an act of God that is not limited to Catholics but indeed that incorporates every Christian into the body of Christ. The Catholic Church also recognizes as sacramental public marriage between two Christians (but public for Catholics means that it must be within the authority of the bishop). Although Protestant communion services are not sacramental, they are prayers that seek a deeper union with Christ and with other Christians.

Love of God and Love of Fellow Christians?

In my first Freshman year of college (University of Missouri, Kansas City), I attended a free magic show. The magic show, as it turns out, was sponsored by a local Christian group called Cornerstone. The magician showed us his illusions, and then let us know that there's no magic and that Jesus died for our sins. Afterward, there was a book table hawking a variety of books that exposed the falseness of fortune telling, UFOs, the Bermuda Triangle, etc. I met several guys at that show, who met me for lunch in the student union later. 

I remember that at that lunch one of them told me that he was like Paul and I was like Timothy. I remember wondering who had made him Paul. Had I asked the question, no doubt I would have received instruction in the Letter to the Galatians, in which Paul asserts that he was made an apostle by Christ Jesus and by no human being (of course, Paul had to submit to Annanias in Damascus after his vision). I didn't ask this question because I had always been an amiable, passive young man. I was also friendly toward these folks because in high school, several friends of mine were involved in Youth for Christ. 

Over a series of weeks, I attended Bible study on campus and in the "upper room" of the Craftsman-style home that housed a family and certain churchy activities. I handed out tracts once. And once, I attended services, singing scripture passages a capella directly from the Bible (in Catholicism, we call this the Liturgy of the Hours!). In one conversation, the original three members asked me if I could remember when I was saved. They said that if I did not remember that salvation event, I would never be certain about my salvation. I answered that I never remembered a time when I did not know the love of Jesus and the desire to follow Him. The elder mentionned that his wife had been raised Catholic and made the same claim. 

Throughout this time, I never doubted the Christian faith that I received from the Catholic Church, and I continued to participate in Mass and pray as usual. I spoke freely with everybody in the group about my understanding of faith. Eventually, the elders talked with me and told me that it would be better if I didn't come anymore. I didn't protest - it was time to move on. Years later, I realize that most folks didn't know what the elders had done, and likely assumed that I had drifted away.

Why did I stay? Thinking about it now, it was nice to be with people that enjoyed speaking about Jesus and trying to understand the Christian life. At the Catholic Newman Center, for example, the dialogue homilies were more about discovering psychological insights. And later Catholic Bible studies took on a similar tone. Also, it strikes me as strange that Protestants and Catholics both follow Jesus but generally avoid each other. 

Two ecumenisms

Here are some quotes from Cardinal Biffi contrasting two forms of ecumenism.

The Antichrist according to Soloviev:

He will not be hostile "in principle" to Christ. Indeed, he will appreciate Christ's teaching. But he will reject the teaching that Christ is unique, and will deny that Christ is risen and alive today.

One sees here described -- and condemned -- a Christianity of "values," of "openings," of "dialogue," a Christianity where it seems there is little room left for the person of the Son of God crucified for us and risen, little room for the actual event of salvation.

* * * *

In his "Tale of the Antichrist" Solovyov foresees that a small group of Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants will resist and will say to the Antichrist: "You give us everything, except what interests us, Jesus Christ."

For the total context of these quotes, see "Soloviev on the Antichrist" at Traditional Catholic Reflections.