July 10, 2007 | In: Uncategorized
Motu Proprio and Ecumenism
One of the criticisms of wider acceptance for the “extraordinary form of the Latin rite of the Mass” is that the prayer for the conversion of the Jews found in the Good Friday prayers of petition is anti-semitic. The Vatican has assured that this prayer will not be used, and that the Catholic Church is still dedicated to “religious dialogue” with the Jewish people.
Does this strike anyone else as funny?
Exactly what is anti-semitic about praying that the Jewish people will come to the fullness of their faith by embracing the Messiah, Jesus Christ? In fact, even Jews who do not yet believe in Christ should see the desire that they come to the truth as a sign of love, not prejudice.
Modernistic philosophies have convinced us that all truths are equal, and that to claim that anyone is wrong or that anyone holds incomplete truth is hateful. However, Modernistic philosophies have no place in Catholic thought! Are we willing to say that Jesus Christ is the truth or not? Yes, all religions have some truth in them, and we as Catholics respect the truth that is found in each religion. However the fullness of truth resides in Jesus Christ. If it does not, then we are fools to be Christian. If it does, then leading people to Jesus Christ, the fullness of truth, is an act of love.
The fact that the Vatican was apologetic about the prayers for the conversion of the Jews raises some serious questions for me. People are claiming that the “old rite” reflected a time when we were less dedicated to ecumenism and religious dialogue. Yet, I don’t understand why the “new rite” doesn’t include prayers for the conversion of the Jews. How is such a prayer contrary to ecumenism and religious dialogue?
It is time for the Church to define these terms very clearly and very carefully. Exactly what is the purpose of ecumenism? Exactly what is the goal of religious dialogue? Building relationships with people from other faith traditions is nice, but to what end? Are we looking to bring them home to the fullness of faith in the Catholic Church? If not, why not? If not, then exactly what are we doing and how are ecumenism and religious dialogue any different from Modernistic approaches to truth (i.e. relativism)?
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