Editor's Note: The views of this columnist are his own and do not reflect the views of PJ Media as a whole
Pope Leo XIV wrapped up the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with a statement that has stirred quite a bit of controversy among faithful Catholics, many of whom disagree with the Holy Father's take and have not been shy about making their feelings on his comments known. So what did the pope say that has everybody's panties in a twist? He stated that different Christian faiths are already, technically speaking, “one.”
During a homily he delivered on Sunday for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul at the Basilica of St. Paul, Pope Leo said, “We are one! We already are! Let us recognize it, experience it and make it visible!” Many people took issue with the statement, especially Emily Mangiaracina of LifeSiteNews, who penned an entire piece explaining why she believes the pontiff’s claim is incorrect.
Pope Leo primarily directed his comments toward clergymen who belong to what Mangiaracina referred to as “schismatic and heretical churches, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the Anglican Communion.” His remarks emphasized that these various Christian “religions” or “denominations” all share the same “faith.” Mangiaracina correctly pointed out that official Church teaching does not support that claim.
She further explained that the pope’s assertion contradicts Catholic teaching as presented in the Catechism of St. Pius X, which states that the Church is united as one by the “same faith,” “same worship,” and “same law,” along with participation in the same Sacraments and submission to the same visible authority of the Roman Pontiff. Mangiaracina rightly defines schismatic churches as those that reject the authority of the pope—such as the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Anglican Communion—and therefore cannot already be considered unified or “one” with the Catholic Church.
Mangiaracina also quoted the Catechism of the Council of Trent, which affirms, “It is the unanimous teaching of the Fathers that this visible head is necessary to establish and preserve unity in the Church.”
I agree with the conclusions Mangiaracina reaches in her piece, but I also disagree at the same time. While schismatic groups cannot claim full communion with Rome, the Catholic Church does share certain forms of unity with other Christian denominations. However, this unity does not exist in the same sense that Pope Leo appears to suggest.
For example, if you believe in fundamental doctrines such as the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation of the God-Man Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin, and if you strive to live a life of obedience to the Word of God, you qualify as a Christian just as much as any Catholic—especially if you have received baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In that sense, you share a direct, though partial, connection to the Catholic Church.
Members of other denominations simply have not embraced the fullness of the faith. Additionally, because they lack apostolic succession, their sacraments do not truly become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
This understanding represents a very broad definition of unity. Significant divisions still exist between Protestants and Catholics on critically important matters that must be resolved before we can rightly consider ourselves “one.” The same holds true for schismatic groups such as the Eastern Orthodox churches. I firmly believe with all my heart that the one true, holy, and apostolic Church is the Catholic Church. Christians who seek the fullness of the faith must enter into the Catholic Church. I will not bend or budge on that.
At the same time, Catholics should recognize areas of genuine unity with other Christians and use those shared beliefs as bridges for dialogue that could eventually lead to reunification. God wills His Church to stand united as one people. Let us pray and act to help make that unity a reality.
