Catholicism Unveiled

What Hides Behind the Public Image?

Mary Ann Collins, A Former Catholic Nun

Chapter 19

There is a hidden agenda behind ecumenism. As we shall see, official Roman Catholic documents from the Second Vatican Council show that the purpose of ecumenism is to bring Protestants into the Roman Catholic Church.

VATICAN II AND ECUMENISM

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) wrote 16 official documents. It also gave some groups of experts the task of working out the details of how to apply the principles and directives of the Council. These groups of men wrote official “post conciliar” documents to more fully elaborate what had been written by the Council. The conciliar and post conciliar documents are published together in a two-volume work.

The Council’s “Decree on Ecumenism” states that ecumenical activity cannot result in changing any aspect of the Catholic faith.[1] This foundational principle is reflected in the post conciliar documents dealing with ecumenism.

For example, Post Conciliar Document No. 42 says that the purpose of ecumenism is to transform the thinking and behavior of Christians who are not Catholics, so that eventually all Christians will be united in one Church. It states that unity means being “in the Catholic Church.”[2]

In other words, “unity” means that Protestants and Orthodox Christians will become Roman Catholics.

From the Vatican’s perspective, the goal of ecumenism is to undo both the Protestant Reformation and the “Great Schism” (the separation of the Orthodox Christians from the Roman Catholic Church). Rome wants her “separated brethren” to come back under the authority of the Pope.

In order to make Catholicism more palatable for Protestants, the Catholic Church made some changes in appearance. The priest faced the people, instead of having his back to them. The Mass was said in the language of the people, instead of Latin. Statues became less prominent in Catholic churches.

Because of these changes, Protestants could feel more comfortable attending Mass. There no longer seemed to be a cultural gulf between Protestants and Catholics.

The fasting requirements were relaxed. Except for special days during Lent, Catholics were allowed to eat meat on Fridays. They could now eat with their Protestant friends on Fridays, without requiring special food (fish or a vegetarian meal). Removing this cultural gap got rid of a barrier between Catholics and Protestants, thereby encouraging ecumenism.

However, in spite of all these changes in surface appearance, official Catholic documents show that the Catholic Church really has not changed much.

There is an old saying, “semper eadem” (“always the same”). It means that Rome never changes. She may change her image for strategic reasons, but behind the scenes, she remains essentially the same.

INCONSISTENCY

The Council of Trent anathematized every Christian who disagrees with any detail of Catholic doctrine. These anathemas have never been canceled. (See the chapter, “The Council of Trent.”)

The modern, ecumenical approach of reaching out in a friendly, respectful way to Protestants (“separated brethren”) seems inconsistent with the anathemas of the Council of Trent.

In 1302, Pope Boniface VIII declared that no person can be saved unless he or she is subject to the Pope.[3]

In 1849, and again in 1863, Pope Pius IX declared that no person can be saved outside of the Roman Catholic Church.[4]

According to the Catholic doctrine of infallibility, these are infallible statements. (This is online.)[5] Therefore, they cannot be reversed.

Freedom of religion is opposed by modern Canon Law (1983). Canon 1366 says that parents are to be punished if they allow their children to instructed in, or baptized in, a “non-Catholic religion.”[6] The reference to baptism shows that this refers to Christians.

Protestants and Orthodox Christians are “non-Catholics.” During the Protestant Reformation, Protestants were punished for their “non-Catholic religion.” Penalties included imprisonment, torture, and being burned at the stake. (See the chapter, “Hunting ‘Heretics.’”)

The modern Catholic approach to ecumenism seems inconsistent with the doctrine that there is no salvation outside of the Roman Catholic Church. It also seems inconsistent with modern Canon Law.

THE POPE SPEAKS

In his opening speech to the Second Vatican Council (1962), Pope John XXIII said that the Catholic Church has always opposed “errors” (disagreement with Catholic doctrine). He said that in the past, the Catholic Church often condemned “errors” with great severity, but now it “prefers” to use mercy rather than severity. The Pope said that the Catholic Church is presently dealing with “errors” by doctrinal debate rather than by “condemnations.”[7]

Rome’s present preference for a gentler approach to people who disagree with Catholic doctrine may explain the apparent discrepancy between the Council of Trent and ecumenism.

The Catholic Church is presently engaging in ecumenical dialog with Protestants, calling them “separated brethren,” and speaking as if it respects their beliefs. But at the same time, behind the scenes, official Catholic documents declare that Protestants are damned to Hell because of their beliefs.