Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in America
From Pope John Paul II to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Men and Women Religious, and all the Lay Faithful on the encounter with the Living Jesus Christ: The Way to Conversion, Communion and Solidarity in America
Installment Seventeen of ECCLESIA IN AMERICA: CHAPTER FOUR: THE PATH TO COMMUNION
LEADING CHILDREN TO ENCOUNTER CHRIST
48. Children are God's gift and a sign of his presence. “There is a need to accompany children in their
encounter with Christ, from Baptism to First Communion, since they are part of the living community of faith,
hope and love”. (182) The Church is grateful for the efforts of parents, teachers, pastoral, social and health
care workers, and all those who seek to serve the family and children with the same attitude as Jesus
Christ who said: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of
Heaven” (Mt 19:4).
The Synod Fathers rightly deplored and condemned the painful condition of many children throughout
America who are denied their dignity, their innocence and even their life. “This condition includes violence,
poverty, homelessness, lack of adequate health care and education, the harm inflicted by drugs and
alcohol, and other states of neglect and abuse”. (183) In this regard, special mention was made during the
Synod of the problem of the sexual abuse of children and child prostitution, and the Fathers made an urgent
appeal “to all those holding authority in society, that, as a priority, they do all in their power to alleviate the
suffering of children in America”. (184)
Elements of communion with other Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities
49. Between the Catholic Church and the other Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities there exists a
drive towards communion rooted in the Baptism which each administers. (185) It is a drive nourished by
prayer, dialogue and joint action. The Synod Fathers wished to express their special desire “to cooperate in
the dialogue already under way with the Orthodox Church, with which we share many elements of faith,
sacramental life and piety”. (186) The specific proposals of the Synodal assembly concerning non-Catholic
Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities as a whole were numerous. It was suggested in the first
place “that Catholic Christians, Pastors and faithful foster cooperation between Christians of the different
confessions, in the name of the Gospel, in response to the cry of the poor, by the promotion of justice, by
common prayer for unity and by sharing in the word of God and the experience of faith in the living Christ”.
(187) Also to be promoted, when possible and appropriate, are meetings of experts from the different
Churches and Ecclesial Communities aimed at facilitating ecumenical dialogue. Ecumenism should be a
subject of reflection and shared experience between the different Catholic Episcopal Conferences in
America.
Although the Second Vatican Council refers to all those who are baptized and believe in Christ as “brothers
and sisters in the Lord”, (188) it is necessary to distinguish clearly between Christian communities, with
which ecumenical relations can be established, and sects, cults and other pseudo-religious movements.
The Church's relations with Jewish communities
50. American society also includes Jewish communities, with which the Church has fostered increasing
cooperation in recent years. (189) The history of salvation makes clear our special relationship with the
Jewish people. Jesus belongs to the Jewish people and he inaugurated his Church within the Jewish
nation. A great part of the Holy Scriptures, which we Christians read as the word of God, constitute a
spiritual patrimony which we share with Jews. (190) Consequently any negative attitude in their regard
must be avoided, since “in order to be a blessing for the world, Jews and Christians need first to be a
blessing for each other”. (191)
Non-Christian religions
51. As for non-Christian religions, the Catholic Church rejects nothing in them which is true and holy. (192)
Hence, with regard to other religions Catholics intend to emphasize elements of truth wherever they are to
be found, while at the same time firmly bearing witness to the newness of the revelation of Christ,
preserved in its fullness by the Church. (193) Consistent with this attitude, they reject as alien to the spirit
of Christ any discrimination or persecution directed against persons on the basis of race, color, condition of
life or religion. Difference of religion must never be a cause of violence or war. Instead persons of different
beliefs must feel themselves drawn, precisely because of these beliefs, to work together for peace and
justice.
“Muslims, like Christians and Jews, call Abraham their father. Consequently throughout America these three
communities should live in harmony and work together for the common good. The Church in America must
also work for greater mutual respect and good relations with the native American religions”. (194) A similar
attitude should be fostered with regard to the followers of Hinduism, Buddhism and other religions who
have come to America as a result of recent waves of immigration from the East.
NEXT MONDAY: Installment eighteen - Chapter Five: PATH TO SOLIDARITY Lay faithful and the renewal of the Church
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