Catholicism 4-22
Biblical Images and Nature of the Church in Lumen Gentium
Foundational Images: The document Lumen Gentium (the Constitution on the Church) is informed by two primary biblical images that shape its entirety: * The Church as the Body of Christ: This image expresses the unchangeable, ontological nature of the church. * The Church as the People of God: This image emphasizes the historical, temporal nature of the church.
The Internal Constitution of the Church
Single Ministry: Because the church is the Body of Christ, it possesses only one ministry—the ministry started by Christ to bring God's salvation to the world. This is shared by all members, both laity and clergy.
Priesthood of All Believers: Vatican II emphasizes a single priesthood of all believers, a concept that rose to prominence during the Reformation.
Lumen Gentium #11 & The Common Priesthood: * Though they differ in essence and not only in degree, the "common priesthood of the faithful" and the "ministerial or hierarchical priesthood" are interrelated. * Each shares in its own proper way in the "one priesthood of Christ." * The ministerial priest forms and rules the priestly people and offers the Eucharistic sacrifice in the name of all. * The faithful participate in the offering of the Eucharist through their royal priesthood and exercise it through the reception of sacraments, prayer, thanksgiving, and the witness of a holy life.
The Role and Vocation of the Laity
Definition of the Laity (Lumen Gentium #12): The laity are the faithful incorporated into Christ through baptism. They are part of the People of God and share in the "priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ" (triplex munus).
Baptism as Ordination: The professor notes that just as Christ began his public ministry after his baptism in the Jordan River, Lumen Gentium implies baptism is a form of ordination, granting every member a specific ministry.
The Triplex Munus (Threefold Office): In the Old Testament, one was anointed for three specific offices: Prophet, King, and Priest. * "Christ" as Title: The word "Christ" comes from the Greek for "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." * Convergence: Christian theology posits that these three offices converge in Jesus Christ. Lumen Gentium asserts that the laity share in all three.
Secular Character: The peculiar characteristic of the laity is their "secular character." They live in the world and engage in ordinary social, family, and business affairs.
Vocation: Being a layperson is a "special vocation" or calling. They are tasked with seeking the Kingdom of God by directing temporal affairs according to God's will. This represents a significant shift from the Pre-Vatican II (Post-Trent) era, where the laity were not viewed as essential in this missionary sense.
The Magisterium and the Hierarchy
The Role of Bishops (Lumen Gentium #13): * Apostolic Succession: The order of bishops is the successor to the "College of the Apostles." * Primary Tasks: Bishops serve as "Teachers" and "Pastors." * Purpose: Their role is not merely bureaucratic; they are meant to equip the laity to carry out their respective vocations.
The Papacy (Lumen Gentium #14): * Agent of Unity: Consonant with early church history, the Pope (the Bishop of Rome) serves as a sign and agent of the unity of the church. * Ecclesial Connection: A Roman Catholic is in communion with their local bishop; because that bishop is in communion with all other bishops and the Pope, the individual is connected to the global Catholic community.
Relation to Other Religious Groups: Ecumenism
Contrast with the Syllabus of Errors: Where the Syllabus of Errors argued for the state suppression of other religions, Vatican II provides a different vision.
Ecumenism Defined: This involves the relationship between the Catholic Church and other Christian traditions, and those traditions' relationships with each other.
The Shift in Language (Lumen Gentium #15): * Subsistit (Subsists): The original 1962 draft (schemata) used the word "is" () to define the relationship between the Church of Christ and the Catholic Church. The bishops revised this to "subsists." * Implication: By saying the Church of Christ "subsists in" the Catholic Church, it allows for the reality that while the Catholic Church is part of the broader church, the broader church is not limited exclusively to the visible confines of the Catholic Church. * Elements of Truth: Many elements of sanctification and truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church.
Commonalities Among Christians (Lumen Gentium #16): * Other Christians are honored by the name of Christian, even if they do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety. * Shared Assets: Honoring Sacred Scripture as a rule of faith, sincere religious zeal, belief in God the Father and Christ the Savior, and the seal of Baptism. * Action of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is active in these communities through gifts and graces, even leading some to martyrdom ("shedding of their blood").
The Problem of Division: The professor uses a hypothetical missionary scenario—a Catholic, an Anglican, and a Baptist trying to convert people in Africa or Asia in the 1900s. If each demands the convert join only their specific church, it hinders the proclamation of the Gospel. Division is inherently a problem for the Church's mission.
Decree on Ecumenism (#18): * Restoration of unity is a "principal concern" of Vatican II. * Responsibility: The work of ecumenism falls upon all the Catholic faithful and members of other traditions.
Relation to Non-Christian Religions
Evolution from Cyprian of Carthage: Historically, the church followed Cyprian’s statement: "There is no salvation outside the church." This was echoed in the Syllabus of Errors.
Salvation through Grace (Lumen Gentium #17): Vatican II acknowledges that individuals may receive salvation even if they are not Catholic or Christian. * Clarification on Pelicanism: People do not "earn" salvation through religious commitment (which would be Pelicanism). Salvation is only through Grace. * Instruments of Grace: While Catholicism has specific sacraments, God’s grace is not confined to them. Following Ignatius of Antioch’s concept of finding God in all things, other religions can be conduits or instruments of grace.
Nostra Aetate (#20) - Eastern Religions: * Hinduism: Explores divine mystery through myth and philosophy; seeks release through aesthetical practices and meditation. * Buddhism: Recognizes the inadequacy of the changing world and proposes a path to perfect liberation and supreme illumination. * Recognition of Truth: The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is "true and holy" in these religions. Any truth found in them is a reflection of "First Truth" (God, as defined by Thomas Aquinas).
Religious Freedom (Declaration on Religious Freedom #21): * Immunity from Coercion: All people should be free from coercion by individuals, social groups, or any human power in religious matters. * Basis: The right to religious freedom is based on the inherent dignity of the human person. This is the polar opposite of the positions held in the Syllabus of Errors.
Course Administration and Final Requirements
Biographical Dictionary: * Final Submission: Due in one week (Friday). * Cumulative Format: The submission must include all figures discussed from the beginning of the semester (Irenaeus of Lyon) up to Gustavo Gutierrez. * Grading: No grade is assigned until this final cumulative submission.
Final Examination Protocol: * Date/Time: Monday of exam week at . * Structure: It is "two tests in one." * Part 1: Regular "Third Test" following the standard format (Multiple Choice, Identification/ID, and an Essay). * Part 2: The "What is Catholicism?" final exam question. * Open Book: The "What is Catholicism?" portion is completely open book/open notes. Students will receive their Biographical Dictionaries back to use during this portion.
Course Evaluations: * Evaluations are currently open. * Time will be provided in class this coming Friday to complete them. Students must bring an electronic device (laptop, tablet, etc.).