What is it about?
A supposition of ecumenical dialogue is a shared language: but while there is a shared language (that of contemporary theology) there is also a second language (of canon law and its theological presuppositions) operating in Catholic discourse. Failure to recognise this - on all sides - leads to confusion and frustration, and hinders ecumenical progress.
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Why is it important?
Since Vatican II the Catholic Church as an institution has been engaged in dialogue with other Christians, and so too have numbers groups of theologians. After some time, progress stalls and the dialogue appears to go round in circles. This article points to one of the problems that frustrate dialogue. If this problem can be addressed or even acknowledged, it will facilitate more fruitful dialogue.
Perspectives
Writing this paper was he result of research on the origins of the Eucharist and noting how the different churches were using history in such diverse ways that they could often not even see why others were engaged in the research they were undertaking. This led me to see that the problem continues right into contemporary discussions.
Professor Thomas O'Loughlin
University of Nottingham
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sacramental Languages and Intercommunion: Identifying a Source of Tension between the Catholic and the Reformed Churches, September 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/003932071704700204.
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