The Last Supper had concluded, and the traitor had already set out to commit his crime. Jesus, alone with his Apostles, addressed the celestial Father with the celebrated priestly prayer in which he prayed for his disciples and all who would come to be part of his flock, his only Church, the Catholic Church. The Apostles enjoyed three years of intense contact with the Divine Master in preparation for their mission to transmit the true doctrine and faith to humanity. The fact that there was no discrepancy of religion within the Apostolic College is proof: it was not ecumenism and a joining of religions that united them, but the fact that they all possessed the same faith, doctrine, and teachings, thus producing a rich array of valuable elements – supernatural wealth and material splendors.
They handed on to Catholics of all times a rich, unadulterated deposit, which no one may alter in any way until the end of time. It is in this deposit that we find the basis of union among Catholics, sustained and solidified by Jesus’ prayer: ‘so that they may be one’ (Jn 17:21).
However, there will always be heretics who twist the words ‘that they may be one’ in the drive for syncretism, insisting that Jesus’ petition sought the joining of all religions. Even worse, is their claim that he thereby encouraged his Church to seek some type of enhancement in other religions, to lend his evangelical proclamation greater force and plenitude.
In this study, we shall examine the true concept of ecumenism. Do others religions proclaim the truth? May Catholics reap ideas from other religions without disrespecting the one Holy Church?
Francis
[Avvenire]: Why?
[Francis]: Because it contradicts the very dynamic of how to become and continue being Christian. The Church is not a soccer team looking for fans.(Interview with “Avvenire”, November 18, 2016 – English summary)
Teachings of the Magisterium
Enter the various parts of our study
II – What is true ecumenism?
III – Christian denominations separate from the Church are heretical. Do they have something to teach us?