Introduction
Relations between Evangelicals and the Roman Catholic Church vary immensely around the globe. In some regions such North America and parts of Europe and Africa, Evangelicals increasingly make common cause with Catholics in confrontation with major ethical and religious challenges, such as abortion, sexual ethics, legislation regarding marriage, genetic engineering (including cloning), and secularism. As Evangelical and Catholic theologians learn more about one another, they begin to look beyond these urgent social and ethical issues to the faith commitments that unite and divide the two traditions. Despite the many very serious differences between them, Evangelicals often make the somewhat surprising discovery that on the core of the faith, such as the divinity and resurrection of Christ, for example, they have more in common with Roman Catholicism than with much of mainline Protestant theology. In other regions, especially those in which the Roman Catholic Church has a dominant presence, such as Latin America, Southern Europe, and the Philippines, relations between the Catholic Church and Evangelical churches and groups are often tense, if not hostile. Although even in these regions, one also hears reports of markedly improving relations.
The Report which follows is not designed to resolve the problems or tensions that exist between the Evangelical and Catholic communities. Rather, it proceeds from a strange contradiction, as well as a fundamental conviction. The contradiction: in many regions distinct groups exist that claim the name of Christ as only Saviour, as supreme Reconciler, and as Lord of all, and who hold that the Scriptures are the supreme norm for belief and practice; yet they find themselves in a situation of mutual hostility and alienation. The fundamental conviction: we owe it to ourselves, to one another, and indeed to the One we serve as Lord to work at overcoming whatever barriers hamper his mission in the world today.
As the background document (Appendix 1) explains, early rounds of this Consultation explored the basic issues that have divided Evangelicals and Roman Catholics since the time of the Reformation: Scripture and Tradition, and Justification by Faith (the papers on these issues have been published as indicated). Increasingly, it became evident that such issues come to practical expressions in the different ways in which we understand what it means to belong to Christ and how we experience Christian community or church. For that reason, the document before you now has as one of its foci, ‘communion,’ or ‘fellowship.’ This first section explores a general framework for understanding the relation between Evangelicals and Catholics, not only as persons but especially as faith communities, as churches. This section elaborates similarities and differences in the ways in which each community understands communion, fellowship, and church. Within this theological framework, the second section deals with the relations between Evangelicals and Catholics, one might say, on the ground, in day-to-day life. The report does not shy away therefore from tackling what is often a flashpoint for tension and conflict, namely, namely, mission and evangelization, proselytism and religious liberty. Often Evangelical efforts in bringing the gospel to so-called ‘nominal Catholics’ are considered to be ‘sheep stealing’ by the Roman Catholic Church. This document makes an initial attempt to clarify this issue and to suggest some practical guidelines for the practice of evangelization.
In evaluating this report, its limited scope and distinct nature needs to be kept in mind. The paragraph with the subheading ‘The Status of this Report’ (immediately preceding Part I) articulates the following qualifications: This report is 1) a study document; 2) submitted for discussion and evaluation; 3) by representatives of the two sponsoring bodies (in the case of the WEA, by a Task Force of the Theological Commission). This document, therefore, is not an authoritative World Evangelical Alliance statement. The report is being published to foster constructive discussion and trenchant critique.
The burden of this document is in the end not words on paper but the course of the Gospel of Christ on the highways and byways, the cities and barrios, the hills and plains of God’s planet. For that reason the engagement of the evangelical community at large in the issues explored in this document is urgent.
This report has been published in Origins 33, no. 19 (October 16, 2003): 310-320. The Report, including appendices, has also been published in Information Service (The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) No. 113 (2003/II/III): 85-101 (A translation appears in the French version of the Information Service). It is also available online at <http://www.prounione.urbe.it/dia-int/e-rc/doc/i_e-rc_report2002.html>
To facilitate discussion, please refer to the body of the report by paragraph number rather than page number, which varies depending on the source cited.
