In Episode 10 of our FAQ video series, "What is the problem with Ecumenism?" we will examine the post-conciliar notion of Ecumenism, one of the most confusing novelties of the Second Vatican Council.
Ecumenism is a word that refers to the search for worldwide religious unity. However, the understanding of this word—and its notion of unity—differs greatly between Catholicism and Modernism.
Modernism seeks to obtain a universal unity amongst all men regardless of their creed, so without any conversion to the Catholic Faith. Modernism supports this error by citing Our Lord's desire: "That they all may be one". But in doing so, the remainder of Christ's words are forgotten and also the necessary criteria to enable all men to truly become one:
...even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, so that the world may believe that thou has sent me". (Jn. 17, 21)
The full quotation from Our Lord clearly indicates that all souls must believe in Him as the Savior of the world and consequently in His Holy Catholic Church which He instituted as the Ark of Salvation.
Thus in Catholicism, Ecumenism means to obtain universal unity through the conversion of souls to the One, True Faith as the Apostles were commanded by Our Lord Jesus Christ:
Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt 25:32)
But rather than evangelize to convert souls to Catholicism, Modernism works to establish points of commonality that exist between Christianity and world religions by dialoguing with representatives of various creeds and holding interreligious prayer meetings, such as at Assisi (see the sidebar for details).
The consequence of the modern practice of ecumenism has led to a "silent apostasy" in the Catholic Church.
