Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 118.  Wed  8-14-91 14:12
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Dan Pacheco
 Subject: Ecumenical Services

³ Father, when I first started going to the University of Colorado I got
³ involved with what was advertised as an ecumenical Christian group.  A few
³ months later I started to notice that everyone in the group seemed to be
³ Baptist, and even later I discovered that is is run by the Conservative
³ Baptist Home Missions Society.  Before I found all this out, they invited
³ me to enter their "Leership Training Class", but I thought it was just a
³ general leadership program.  To make a long story short, I now know that I
³ am the only non-Baptist member in the group, and certainly the only
³ Catholic they have ever had!!  I have this gnawing feeling that they are
³ trying to "convert" me to their beliefs, and while this has made me
³ examine my own beliefs more fully, it also makes it impossible for me to
³ be one of their leaders!  I'm not even sure is it would be morally right
³ to remain in the group since they try to push distinctly Baptist theology.
³ Even worse, two of their coordinators are ex-Catholics!  I've pretty much
³ decided that I will decrease my involvement with them to a purely social
³ level.  I was wondering what the Catholic church says about ecumenical
³ services, and also what YOU think.  Thanks!
 
Dear Dan,
 
Costello Publishing Company puts out a 2-volume set of documents
which include the documents of the Second Vatican Council and several
post-conciliar documents.  The publication date is 1981.  Volume 1
does not seem to have an ISBN number.  Volume 2 has the number
0-918344-16-6.  The general editor is Austin Flannery, O.P.  The
Council published a Decree on Ecumenism entitled UNITATIS
REDINTEGRATIO.  This is followed (in Volume 1) by 12 post-conciliar
documents on ecumenical issues.  Volume 2 has 4 additional ecumenical
documents.  Two of the documents in Volume 1 (##37 and 40) are the
official Catholic Ecumenical Directory.
 
Although I hope you will read the appropriate documents for yourself,
here in my own words (for brevity's sake) are some of the points set
forth in the Directory.
 
1) Ecumenical activity must not lead to indifferentism:  "all
religions are equally true."
 
2) It must respect the teachings, traditions, and practices of ALL
participants.
 
3) Common prayer services imploring God to help us all to unity are
recommended.
 
4) Ecumenical activity should promote friendliness, cooperation, and
mutual charity.
 
5) Dialogue among the different groups and cooperation in such areas
as education, morality, social and cultural matters, learning, and the
arts are encouraged.
 
6) Change of heart and holiness of life among participants in
ecumenical activity should be fostered.
 
7) Neither side must make use of underhanded or dishonest methods to
change the allegiance of others.
 
8) Common prayer services may not take the form of full participation
in the liturgies of other churches, except that greater freedom is
possible between Orthodox and Catholic worshippers.  (This is a very
complex matter, so my summary is imperfect, and I refer you to the
official documents.)
 
(continued in next message)
 
##Mmr 2.38á.  !link DP  7-30-91 12:39
 
.ORIGIN: 023/000 - CATHOLIC INFORMATION NETWORK #1, SAN DIEGO (619) 283-0889


Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 119.  Wed  8-14-91 14:26
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Dan Pacheco
 Subject: "Ecumenical" services

(continued from previous message)
 
With regard to your specific points made in your letter, it does not
seem to me that the group you describe should be called ecumenical.
No effort is apparent to heal the doctrinal and practical differences
between Baptists and Catholics, to bring us all nearer to true
Christian unity.  I wonder if the pressure you feel would cease if
you met the other members on a purely social level.  Perhaps not.
 
Perhaps you would profit greatly now by getting active in Catholic
groups on or near campus.  Is there a Newman Center at your
university?
 
I notice in the documents I mentioned a heavy emphasis on growth in
prayer and personal holiness as a prime requisite for ecumenical
activity.  May I suggest you begin to go to Mass and Holy Communion
daily or several times a week (maybe you do so already).  Daily
rosary is a very practical and beneficial prayer for students, who
are in special need of the Blessed Virgin's prayers and protection.
Catholic Bible groups will introduce you to the riches of God's Word
without the dangers and distortions of fundamentalism.
 
I will remember you in prayer.  Please pray for me.
 
                                    Sincerely in Christ,
                                    Father Mateo