Katoličko razumijevanje jedinstva i zajedništva kršćana
Roman Catholic Understanding of Christian Unity and Fellowship

Summary/Abstract: The catholic doctrine says that the basic unity among Churches already exists, but there are also cuts in the unity, cuts, bruises, swales and wounds, that distort the wholeness and completeness of that unity. Instead of talking about schism, divided brothers and the absence of unity, it is more appropriate to to talk about the state of incomplete and/or imperfect unity. Since the thing connecting Christians is bigger than that which divides them, it not only more appropriate, but it is also more correct to describe other Christians and name them by that which is bigger (unity), than that which is smaller (separation) and that has to be put to practice on all levels. Ecumenism as an effort to achieve full or satisfactory unity and fellowship is not about establishing a now completely non existent unity, it is about the already and still existing unity: 1. being lived and implemented through proper degrees of interchristian fellowship and 2. being completed, perfected to the point where a fellowship of altar (Eucharistia and communion) and pulpit (preaching) is possible and visible. Christianity is either ecumenic or it isn’t Christianity. The Church of Christ is either “una sancta”, “one holy” or it is in serious violation of the will of Christ expressed in the Holy Scripture. Unity exists – it has to be recognized. Unity is not complete – it has to be completed.

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