On “Partial Ecclesiastical Communion,” the Dominant Theory Behind Contemporary Ecumenism

Orthodox Ethos ^ | 03-19-2018 | Fr. Peter Heers

[NRx]

Excerpt from: The Ecclesiological Renovation of Vatican II by Archpriest Peter Heers

"The basis for modern Catholic-Orthodox dialogue, the decree [on Ecumenism of Vatican II] established the principle of real, if imperfect, communion between Christians and their churches and communities." - by John Long, S.J.

The idea of partial communion, so central to the new ecclesiology, is inconsistent with this understanding of the organic unity of the Church. Once again, in this regard as well, Vatican II was not a return to the patristic vision of the Church, but rather a further step away from it. As Metropolitan Kallistos Ware has written: “The Bible, the Fathers or the Canons know of only two possibilities: communion and non-communion. It is all or nothing. They do not envisage any third alternative such as ‘partial intercommunion.’” [1] Father Georges Florovsky likewise points out that in the patristic view of the Church “there was simply the question of ‘full communion,’ that is, of membership in the Church. And there were identical terms of this membership for all.” [2]

The identification of “full membership” with “membership in the Church”— a membership based on identical terms for all— could not come into more direct opposition to the heart of the new ecclesiology, which is based upon the possibility of there being degrees of membership in the Body of Christ. This idea stems from the acceptance of a division of the Mysteries from each other and from the Mystery of the Church as a whole. They suppose that Baptism can exist outside the unity of the Church and the other mysteries, mechanically, as it were, imparting membership to those who receive it in separation.

[ebb tide]

The article is well written and makes sense. I hope Rome picks up this book.

[NRx]

I agree. It’s one of the best works I have read on the doctrinal development in the Catholic Church, especially focused on V-II. My copy is sitting on the shelf over my computer as I type.