N
Novocastrian
Guest
As a non-Roman Catholic (bear with me, PR), I’d say that it’s not mad to claim that we can be Catholics not in communion with Rome. You seem, EC, to be suggesting that Rome is already recognising this possibility. That’s clearly not the case.But what you have concluded: therefore the Lutheran Church is simply another Catholic church, is way off. Way off.
It is absurd to claim that there is a group of Catholic churches loyal to the Bishop of Rome, and another group of Catholics who don’t have to submit to the Bishop of Rome.
Your case is strong, but you’re over-stating it. On this issue I’d suggest (if you’ll permit me) to listen to your Lutheran co-religionists. You are catholic, you are in some kind of communion of the baptised with Rome, but you are clearly not yet in full communion, and there is obviously much work still to be done for visible unity to be attained. Let’s all be clear and agree that this is the case?