Ecumenical Info

Catholic Treasures

March 2005

By Rev. Michael Demkovich, O.P.

Dictionaries and encyclopedias are amazing inventions. Words and ideas are conveniently arranged for easy use. My mom is a crossword puzzle person and our old beat up Webster’s Dictionary is testimony to the power of words. Long before Google came along, most homes had an encyclopedia complete from A to Z with volumes bought over time at the local grocery store. Such works remind us of a world of meaning we have forgotten or never yet met. These resources are so important in life. The people who collect this information are rarely known to us but the fruit of their labor is well known. One of the great themes of Vatican II was “resourcement,” going back to the sources, to the roots of our Faith. Such resources, our Catholic treasures, help us to focus our questions, to name concepts and ideas so we can understand the puzzles of life.

In the ecumenical world, I am always amazed (and relieved) to discover the abundance of Catholic resources. Dialogue is about ideas, and in talking with people from different denominations I find the Catholic Church has a gold mine of ideas. The long tradition of ecumenical dialogue and the extent of that dialogue have generated statements and documents that further mutual respect and understanding. Not that we must always agree, but we must grow in understanding God’s will. Many Protestants as well as non-Christians have noted the extent and value of these Catholic resources. I am happy to be part of a Church that respects the intellectual and theological project.

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Dialogue is about discovering God’s Truth. This means that we have a special responsibility to draw on all the resources. It means taking the time to become familiar with the Church’s teachings, the words and ideas that we need so we can name the Godly truths of our lives. One extremely important belief that guides the Catholic Church is Her belief in the fundamental “Unity of Truth.” This teaching reminds us that as we seek to discover the Truth, genuine truths cannot be opposed to one another. This helps us recognize that we ought not to hold too tightly to our human truths but rather to see how they are best known in the light of Divine Truth. This is such an important insight for today when it is so easy to reduce “the Truth” to “My truth.” Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Dialogue is the responsibility of everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Truth. It demands that we examine our fragmentary truths and allow them to disclose the Truth. Sometimes this is a long process, taking years, or decades, or even centuries. If we think the Truth is quick and easy we sadly make it fit our expectations. As we work toward the Unity that Christ demands, we need to see in our Catholic treasury resources. I have mentioned this before but it bears repeating, one great resource is the 1993Vatican document known as “The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism” (called the “Directory” or “DAPNE” for short). It is available on line hereexternal linkand it is a resource for anyone interested in Ecumenical Dialogue. This month we celebrate the great gift of our Redemption in Christ. As we Christians prepare to join in the Easter mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection, we confess a greater Truth, one larger then we can fully comprehend. It is the Truth of God’s love for all men and women of good will. What an amazing puzzle to behold.