On the Limits of Ecumenical Relations between Churches
On the Limits of Ecumenical Relations between Churches

Summary/Abstract: The Catholic Church accepted the ecumenical movement at the Second Vatican Council, whose ground-breaking document in this respect was the Decree on ecumenism Unitatis redintegratio (1964). The canonical norms of post-conciliar codes and ecumenical directories receive and expand on the issues hinted at by the Council. However, canon law is often seen as a brake in ecumenical efforts and initiatives. Nevertheless, canon law is based on theological premises given by the teaching of the Church; therefore, it cannot go beyond the limits of the Catholic tradition and the partial success of the common ecumenical dialogue. The article concentrates on two issues which can be overcome only with great difficulty. The first is the institution of the papacy whose concept is unacceptable both for the non-Catholic Eastern Churches as well as the Churches coming out of the Reformation, in spite of the good reputation the individual popes have gained in their communities lately. Another obstacle is the limited possibility of sacramental intercommunion. The Catholic canon law opens up the possibility to access the sacrament of reconciliation, the Eucharist and the anointing of the sick to the non-Catholic Eastern Churches. The Reformation-based Churches, however, understand the sacraments in a very different way, therefore the regulation of canon law in this respect remains quite restrictive. The article also presents the particular legal regulation of the sacramental intercommunion issued by the Czech Bishops’ Conference. The conclusion of the article focuses on the need of inner unity within the Catholic Church itself and mentions also the efforts to integrate the Fraternity of St. Pius X into the structures of the Church.

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