An ‘ecumenical Mass’ is impossible, says German cardinal

[2towers]

http://catholicherald.co.uk/news/20...ible-says-german-cardinal/?platform=hootsuite

• I would support an ecumenical Mass in some form.
• I would NOT support an ecumenical Mass in any form

0 voters
Cardinal Woelki said there is ‘no basis’ for such a service as Catholics and Protestants do not agree on the Eucharist

Catholics and Protestants do not have enough in common to celebrate a so-called ‘ecumenical Mass’, a German cardinal has said.

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne said there is “no basis” for such a service because the denominations “do not agree on the central issues” around the Eucharist.

The cardinal explained in the Kölner Express that for Catholics, the Eucharist is not just a common meal; it is the true Body and Blood of Christ in the transubstantiated gifts of bread and wine. Protestants do not have this understanding.

The Real Presence is an “incontrovertible certainty” for Catholics, he said. As long as these differences exist, there can be no “common supper”.

OORAH Cardinal ! What do YOU guys think? Opinions from all faiths are welcome in this thread, despite my enthusiasm for the Cardinals thoughts on the subject.

 

[RandomAlias]

Cardinal Woelki has an excellent point. However, it the proposition of an “ecumenical Mass” something of a red herring? I am not aware that the Catholic Church is close to approving such a thing, except perhaps for other Christian denominations which are in full agreement on essentials like transubstantiation, real presence, and the sacramental nature of the Eucharist.

I hope that Cardinal Woelki’s statement is not misapplied or misquoted by the detractors and enemies of ecumenism. The Church may propose other ecumenical forms of celebration which do not involve sharing the Eucharist, and good Catholics should not be afraid to meet our Protestant brothers and sisters and worship together in some fashion.

In short, I would support whatever ecumenical efforts are approved by the Church.

 

[tseleehw]

His statement is timely indeed, as there are those within the Church that would subvert its teachings on the Eucharist just to give a false impression of “unity” with Lutherans and other Protestants. There were rumors a year or two ago that some in the hierarchy (it is not difficult to determine who, as they are also Germans) were pushing for inter-communion with Lutherans and Catholics; on what basis, I have no idea, because there is none as Cardinal Woelki clearly states.

It’s nice to not be calling each other names anymore and to have elaborate public displays of cordiality between denominations, but the reality is that unity with most Lutherans and the vast majority of other Protestants is nowhere near, and in many cases is farther away than we were when the Protestant Reformation occurred, at least from a doctrinal perspective.

 

[2towers]

There were rumors a year or two ago that some in the hierarchy (it is not difficult to determine who, as they are also Germans) were pushing for inter-communion with Lutherans and Catholics; on what basis, I have no idea, because there is none as Cardinal Woelki clearly states.

I remember, that is why I was so pleased to see this article. It might have been an issue local to Germany, but I worry that it might have been a logical next step for the ecumenical minded.

 

[2towers]

I support ecumenical “get togethers” if the end result is to foster a proper understanding of the Catholic faith by Protestants and their leaders. I think that is a fair expectation and desire.

 

[Maxirad]

What is an example of legitimate ecumenism? What is an example of false ecumenism?

 

[2towers]

I support ecumenical “get togethers” if the end result is to foster a proper understanding of the Catholic faith by Protestants and their leaders

This is just my opinion which you ask for and does not mean that I am right or wrong, it is just my opinion.

Good ecumenism:
Efforts that educate others on the truth of the Catholic faith and dispels the huge erroneous perceptions that people hold outside the Church.

Bad ecumenism:
Efforts that do not achieve what I said above, and that violates the rules / dogma / laws of the Church.
An example of this would be giving communion to those who are not Catholics.