Catholic Ecumenism: The Reunion of Christendom in Contemporary Papal Documents

Table of Contents

Catholic Ecumenism

The Reunion of Christendom in Contemporary Papal Documents

A structured guide to Hanahoe’s theological argument: the existence of Catholic ecumenism, its nature, its goal, the fact of separation, the path to unity, and the question of conversion.

Front matter

The foreword prepares the reader for a preconciliar theological treatment of ecumenism, locating Hanahoe’s work within the Catholic University of America, the American Ecclesiastical Review, and the school of Msgr. Joseph Clifford Fenton.

Part One

The first part asks whether there is such a thing as a specifically Catholic ecumenism. Hanahoe answers by defining the term, clarifying the basic ideas, and then showing that the Holy See itself desired the reunion of separated Christians according to Catholic principles.

Part Two

The second part gives the theological architecture of reunion: the one Church founded by Christ, her visible unity, communion with the See of Peter, the concrete fact of separation, and the manner by which separated communities may return.

Appendix

The appendix, “Ecumenism and Conversions,” extends the dissertation’s argument into a practical question: how zeal for reunion relates to individual conversions and why authentic ecumenism cannot weaken missionary charity.

Scholarly apparatus

The bibliography and index make the volume useful for study: books, articles, and papal documents are gathered so the reader can trace Hanahoe’s claims back to their theological and magisterial sources.

xi

Foreword

1

PART ONE: Existence of a Catholic Ecumenism

Introduction · p. 3

Criteria of Evaluation

The principles of reunion must be drawn from Divine Revelation and sanctioned by Divine Authority. This opening gives the reader the theological standard by which every later claim is judged.

Chapter One · p. 7

The Concept of Ecumenism

1. Basic ideas · p. 7
2. Papal sources · p. 20

This chapter defines the field of inquiry and distinguishes Catholic ecumenism from vague religious cooperation or doctrinal compromise.

Chapter Two · p. 26

Desire of the Holy See

Hanahoe examines the Holy See’s positive desire for true Christian reunion and the principles that govern it. The chapter shows that the Catholic desire for unity is neither indifferentism nor sectarian refusal, but an act of charity governed by truth.

Chapter One · p. 41

The Goal of Reunion

1. The Unicity of the Church · p. 41
2. Unity of the Church · p. 47
3. Communion with the See of Peter · p. 64

The goal of reunion is concrete and visible: communion in the one Church of Christ, under the divinely instituted authority of Peter.

Chapter Two · p. 80

The Point of Departure

1. The Fact of Separation · p. 80
2. Implications of Separation · p. 89

Hanahoe considers the theological reality of separation and the pastoral consequences for those born into communities separated from Catholic unity.

Chapter Three · p. 104

The Way to Unity

1. The Basic Principle · p. 104
2. The Manner of Reunion · p. 112
Section 1: Corporate reunion in itself · p. 113
Section 2: Some applications · p. 125

The final chapter studies how unity is to be sought, especially through corporate reunion rightly understood and applied.

169

Summary and Conclusion

Draws the doctrinal argument together and restates the governing principles for reunion.

183

Appendix: Ecumenism and Conversions

A later essay clarifying how ecumenical work relates to conversions, missionary zeal, and Catholic witness.

207

Bibliography

Books · p. 207
Articles · p. 226
Papal Documents · p. 232

235

Index

A practical guide for locating names, doctrines, papal texts, and theological themes.

242

About the Author

Places Fr. Hanahoe’s study within his priestly, theological, and Franciscan context.