Pontifical Beda College
First Semester 200
Fridays, 10.50-12.25
The course examines the role and nature of the Church in the mystery of salvation,
paying particular attention to the relationship of the Church to those who are not
in visible union with Roman Catholics (ecumenism) and those who are not baptized Christians
(interreligious dialogue). It considers various different aspects of the Roman Catholic position
and its application to specific circumstances. Material is drawn from the Scriptures,
various documents of the Magisterium, and other theological treatments of the theme.
Each student is responsible for attending class, reading the assigned materials on time,
participating in the discussion, and completing an essay. There will also be an exam at the end
of the course. Students are also encouraged to explore the issues of the course in supplementary reading.
The length and due date for the essay are set by the Dean of Studies. The topic of the essay should be chosen from the following. It may be on an issue in ecumenical dialogue or on an issue within Christianity concerning interreligious dialogue.
Option 1: Ecumenical theme.
Utilizing published documents and official
accounts of the dialogues between the Roman Catholic Church and other
Christian denominations, give a critical analysis of the treatment of the
issue, the agreements among Christians, and the differences that remain. The
paper should conclude with a reasoned appraisal of the current state of the
dialogue on this issue with at least three different dialogue partners,
making extensive reference to the relevant documents and books. Paraphrased
discussion of these sources should be used rather than extensive quotations.
Possible topics: (a) the papacy; (b) the Eucharist; (c) baptism; (d)
ordained ministry; (e) Mary; (f) defining full communion.
Option 2: Interreligious theme. Discuss one of the following themes under debate among Christians in regard to interreligious dialogue. The paper should utilize several sources (books and journal articles) analysing different approaches to the given subject. It should conclude with a considered judgment on the topic from the perspective of Roman Catholic theology, making reference to the relevant magisterial documents. Paraphrased discussion of the sources should be used rather than extensive quotations. Possible topics: (g) interreligious prayer; (i) the universality of Jesus; (j) the role non-Christian religions in God's plan of salvation; (k) the relationship between dialogue and evangelization.
Irenaeus of Lyons, Adversus haereses, 3.3
Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Catholic Church
Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam
Pius XII,
Mystici corporis
Vatican II,
Lumen Gentium
Vatican II,
Unitatis Redintegratio
John Paul II,
Ut Unum Sint
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity,
Directory for the
Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission,
The Gift of Authority
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission,
Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ
The Catholic Church & the Lutheran World Federation, Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
The World Methodist Council, The World Methodist Council Statement of Association with the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
Joint Commission for Dialogue Between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council, Catholics and Methodists Reflect Further on the Church
Commission on Religious Relations with Jews,
Guidelines and Suggestions on Implementing the Conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate, no. 4
Commission on Religious Relations with Jews, We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah, 1998
Vatican II,
Nostra Aetate
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Congregation
for the Evangelization of Peoples,
Dialogue and Proclamation: Reflection
and Orientations on Interreligious Dialogue and the Proclamation of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, 1991.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
Dominus Iesus
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
Response to Some Questions
Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church
Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est
Truth and Diversity in Roman Catholic Perspective
Reading
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
Response to Some Questions
Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church
Historical Background
The meaning of Church and communion with the Roman Catholic Church. An
overview of the teaching regarding Church unity and the understanding of
extra ecclesiam nulla salus in the early, medieval, and modern periods. An
overview of the ecumenical movement.
Readings
Irenaeus of Lyons, Adversus haereses, 3.3
Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Catholic Church
Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam
Pius XII,
Mystici corporis
The Ecumenical Movement and Vatican II
A detailed reading of the texts of Vatican II in relation to ecumenism,
noting the continuity of doctrine as well as the changes in emphasis and
approach.
Readings
Vatican II,
Lumen Gentium
Vatican II,
Unitatis Redintegratio
Vatican II,
Nostra Aetate
After Vatican II
Reading
John Paul II,
Ut Unum Sint
The Practice of Roman Catholic Ecumenism
Reading
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity,
Directory for the
Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism
Specific Issues: Orthodox and Anglicans
Readings
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission,
The Gift of Authority
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission,
Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ
Specific Issues: Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, and Beyond
Readings
The Catholic Church & the Lutheran World Federation, Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
The World Methodist Council, The World Methodist Council Statement of Association with the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
Joint Commission for Dialogue Between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council, Catholics and Methodists Reflect Further on the Church
Judaism
The issues involved in relations with Jews and the current Roman Catholic
position.
Readings
Commission on Religious Relations with Jews,
Guidelines and Suggestions on Implementing the Conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate, no. 4
Commission on Religious Relations with Jews, We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah, 1998
The Universality of Jesus and Interreligious Dialogue
Current issues in regard to the uniqueness of Christian claims and the
progress of interreligious dialogue
Lecture outline
Official Statements about Interreligious Dialogue
Readings
Vatican II,
Nostra Aetate
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Congregation
for the Evangelization of Peoples,
Dialogue and Proclamation: Reflection
and Orientations on Interreligious Dialogue and the Proclamation of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, 1991.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
Dominus Iesus
The Practice of Roman Catholic Interreligious Dialogue
Lecture outline
Specific Issues
A presentation of the principles of dialogue along with an overview of the current dialogue with Islam,
Buddhism, Hinduism
Lecture outline