Response to ?...Doctrine of the Church' by Bishop John Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City

KANAB — The document released by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith July 10 and approved by Pope Benedict XVI, titled "Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine of the Church" is neither a major release nor a new message, Bishop John Wester said in an interview with the Intermountain Catholic.

"Rather, it is directed at those who are in dialogue with people of other faiths," the bishop said.

The document reaffirmed that the Catholic Church is the one, true church, even if elements of truth can be found in separated churches and communities, Catholic News Service reported.

Bishop Wester encouraged people engaged in interfaith dialogue to "read the document carefully," paying special attention to its format, which "does not detract from other religions."

Bishop Wester said the word "defective," when used to describe other religions is not meant to be a pejorative word, "although it does sound hard. It is a technical word that indicates there is something missing according to the definition of ‘church’ as we perceive it."

Also key to understanding the document’s intent, the bishop said, is an understanding of the use of the word "subsist."

"Subsist is used to describe elements of the church that exist exclusively in the Catholic Church – many of our sacraments, our belief in the incarnation, and in a Triune God."

The document clarifies that, as Jesus Christ is present in other religions, it is possible to be saved in them, Bishop Wester said.

"These ‘responses to some questions’ are meant to enhance interfaith dialogue. We cannot dialogue fully if we are unclear of who we are as church. The document urges us not to be vague about who we are and what we believe."

Even the word ‘church’ is a technical word, Bishop Wester said, not only in the Catholic Church, but in all churches. "We all have different definitions for the word and therefore we set policies accordingly."

Drawing from a statement by Walter Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Bishop Wester said at the basis of dialogue there is not just that which divides us, but that which unites us, and that is greater than what divides us. For that reason, one should not skim over what the declaration affirms in a positive way about Protestant churches, and that is that Jesus Christ is effectively present in them for the salvation of their members."