1. Ecclesiology of communion

2. Ecclesiology What does the word “Ecclesiology” mean?
From ἐκκλησίᾱ and ecclesia
Means “assembly”
Means “theological study of the Christian Church”
Catholic ecclesiology – what Catholics teach about the Church
Related words
Ecclesial = churchly; church-like

3. Two aspects of the Church
Mystical Body
Mystery
Focus: Divine Nature
Visible & Invisible
Faithful and Saints
Divine & Human
Focus: Both Human & Divine
Body of Christ
Christ Jesus Himself
We are not the Church
We are members of His Body
Focus: Human Nature

4. Two aspects of the Church
St Paul
“Just as the human body, which has many members, is a unity, because all the different members make one body, so is it also with Christ.”
St Augustine
Ascending into heaven on the fortieth day, our Lord Jesus Christ commended to us his Body where it would continue to lie, because he saw that many would honor him for his ascent into heaven. He saw that their honoring him is useless if they trample upon his members who are here on earth. And lest anyone should err in this regard, he told us that his members would be here.

5. Church as Communion The Sacrament of Communion
Communion = union between persons
“the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings” (OED)
Key: relationships
Communion between God and Humans
Begins with Baptism (Sacrament of Initiation)
Requires Faith
Fed with Eucharist
When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ, we become what we receive. (St Leo; p. 71)

6. Church as Communion Communion between the Faithful
By sharing in the Eucharist, we are sharing in each other
“We who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread”
We share in each other’s sufferings and joys
For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

7. What is “Church”? The word “church” refers to many different things
Building
A parish community
The act of going to Mass
All Christians of all denominations
Adherents in a particular denomination
Methodist Church
Catholic or Orthodox Christians in a particular region
Church of the East
Polish Church

8. What is “Church”?
Those in communion with the bishops in Apostolic succession
Key: Continuity
laying on hands
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Key: Faithfulness
Truth continues without alteration
Gift of the Holy Spirit (Sacrament of the Church)
Apostolic Succession = Continuity & Faithfulness
Pope John Paul II: Two lungs

9. Apostolic succession
Guarantees the validity of the Eucharist

10. Four Marks of the church
One
Holy
Catholic
Apostolic

11. What is a Christian Christians are Baptized with water
In the Triune name
With the intention of “doing what the Church does”
That is, with the Church’s understanding of the Trinity and salvation

12. Full Communion
To be in “full communion” means to agree and declare that the complete truth and totality of the Church of Christ “subsists in” the Catholic Church
“Subsists in” means “to exist within”
This means that the Catholic Church is the actual Church that Christ established with His Apostles
KEY: Truth is a complete whole, not the grouping together of true statements
Truth is a person.
Jesus said, “I am the Truth.”

13. Full communion
The fullness of the Church subsist in other churches or ecclesial communities “to a greater or lesser extent”
Other Churches have the fullness of the Church, but lack only union with the Catholic Church
Ecclesial communities are lacking one or more essential doctrines and rites or disciplines
Doctrines = teachings
Rites = sacraments or liturgies
Disciplines = practices e.g., fasting
When ecclesial communities accept all that the Catholic Church teaches and practices, then “full communion” is achieved

14. Full communion
Full Communion is achieved with individuals when these four “essentials” occur:
Baptism
Profession of Faith
Eucharistic communion
Respect and obedience to Church authority

15. Four “Essentials” Baptism Profession of Faith
All those baptized with water in the Triune name with the right “intention” (i.e., in the faith of the Creed) are in full communion with the Catholic Church
Profession of Faith
Assent (agreement) of mind and will to the teachings of the Church
Key is “faith”
Therefore, this does not mean full understanding of doctrine, morals and practices
It does mean that one trusts that all doctrines, morals and practices are true (even if a person struggles with them or does not understand them)

16. Four “essentials” Eucharistic Communion
Simply, to receive the Eucharist
Includes receiving the other sacraments
Includes believing that the Eucharist and other sacraments are “means of salvation”
Means of salvation = aids or helps to a fuller relationship with God, and to attain the fullness of His heavenly kingdom

17. Four “essentials” Respect & Obedience to Authority
Obedience and faith go together
Obedience does not deny free will or the ability to question
Obedience gives freedom and safety when things are too hard to understand
Obedience means that one trusts that the doctrines, morals and practices are as Christ gave them
That is, that the Holy Spirit is guiding Christ’s Church
Respect and obedience to those in authority is ultimately respect and obedience for Christ
“Whoever hears you hears Me; whoever receives you receives Me.”

18. Imperfect communion
Imperfect communion exists when a Church or ecclesial community lacks one or more of the essentials elements for full communion
“Imperfect communion” means there is still a relationship, but the relationship requires work (dialogue, communication) in order to improve
“Imperfect communion” means that we share many things in communion, but need to come to an understanding on one or more important doctrines and practices

19. Imperfect communion
Imperfect communion occurs due to one of three “ruptures” in full communion
Heresy
Stubborn refusal to believe what one has already received
Heretics are Catholics who left the Church but remain Christian
Protestants
Apostasy
Denying the Christian faith
Apostates are Catholics who repudiate Christianity
Those who become Muslims, Buddhists, Agnostics, etc.
Schism
Break in communion with the pope and Catholic bishops
Orthodox; Sedes vacantes Roman Catholics

20. Restoration of full communion
Full Communion is restored when
Churches or ecclesial groups accept and profess the teachings of the Catholic Church
Individuals are received into the Church by
Baptism (those who did not receive valid baptism)
Confirmation (those who were baptized)
Penance (those Catholics who left the church but then returned)
Reception of the Eucharist seals and completes the restoration of full communion
NOTE: Read page 81

21. Salvation outside the church
St Cyprian: “There is no salvation outside the Church”
Not a judgment about heaven and hell
Only God makes these judgments
IMPORTANT: This statement means that salvation comes only through Christ in His Church
Jesus is the “access” and way to any relationship with God
There are no other “saviors”

22. Salvation outside the church
This statement means that the true Christ Jesus is given only in the Church
The fullness of Jesus’ teaching and gifts are given only in the Church; only the Church has the fullness of His teaching
No one can save himself
IMPORTANT: Baptism is necessary for salvation
“Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved”
Necessary = should not be rejected when it is offered
Necessary ≠ those who are not offered baptism are condemned
Lack of faith (whether baptized or no) is what condemns
“Whoever does not believe will be condemned”

23. Salvation outside the church
The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament.
Desire for Baptism is the desire for what Christ gives in and through His Church
KEY: Baptism is required for us; but God may save apart from baptism
Example: Old Testament believers; martyrs; Dismas

24. Salvation outside the church
SUMMARY: “No salvation outside the Church” is both an invitation and a warning
An invitation to those “who through no fault of their own” do not know Christ
Only the Church, which is the Body of Christ,
Fully understands Christ’s teachings
Imparts His teachings faithfully
Brings one to know Christ truly
A warning to those who have left the Church, with a strong encouragement to “come home”
“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” (Heb 10.26)

25. SALVATION OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
CONCLUSION: The Church’s constant prayer is that “all are saved and come to the knowledge of the truth”
The Church prays that no one should be lost: "Lord, let me never be parted from you." If it is true that no one can save himself, it is also true that God "desires all men to be saved" (1 Tim 2:4), and that for him "all things are possible" (Mt 19:26).
Prayer based on the hope of God’s mercy and our love for all people
What lies behind the words “deliver us from evil”
Not only deliver us, but deliver all

26. challenge
Is it intolerant and insensitive to say that that the Catholic Faith is better than all other faiths?
Can anyone’s “religious quest” be wrong?
Is there a difference between respect and standing up for what is true and right?
Is it loving to stop someone before he hurts himself?
To point out fraud?
To proclaim the truth?