Dr. Likoudis writes to “Letters to the Editor” of “AMERICA”, a National Catholic Weekly Magazine published by the Jesuits, in regard to questionable assertions published in an editorial by that magazine in its October 28, 2000 issue concerning the C.D.F. document “Dominus Iesus”.
Dr. Likoudis’ letter appeared in AMERICA, issue of November 25, 2000

 

The editorial “Ecumenical Courtesy” (10/28/2000) takes to task the C.D.F. document “Dominus Iesus” as being a “communications disaster”.

The problem with the editorial is that ecumenical courtesy is placed in false opposition to the truth that the Church is always obliged to proclaim and defend.
St. Paul was indeed the “model for authentic ecumenical and interreligious exchange”, but he did not compromise Christ’s truths for the sake of “going along to get along”. Let us have St. Paul whole and entire.

Was the fiery Apostle un-ecumenical when he judged it necessary to warn the early Christians to “watch out for those who make dissentions and offenses contrary to the doctrines which you have learned, and to avoid them” (Rom. 16:17; see also Acts 20:29; 2Thess. 3:14-15; 2Tim. 2:16; 2Tim. 2, 3 and 4)? He certainly insisted on “love and respect” for all, but he also demanded observance of very strict precepts regarding the purity and integrity of doctrine.

Both Our Lord and His Apostles had choice words for those who would lead the faithful astray: false teachers, false prophets, anti-Christs, liars, deceivers, seducers, fierce wolves.

Similarly, non-Christians cannot ignore that the same Christ who was “meek and humble of heart” and who wishes all men “to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim. 2:4-5) had also declared that “he who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16).

It was also St. Paul who noted that “from among your own selves men will rise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore Watch!” (Acts 20:30-31). In its various admonitions, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith follows faithfully in the footsteps of the great Apostle.

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To view the editorial in question above, click on following link:   EDITORIAL: ECUMENICAL COURTESY

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