Dominus Iesus

Dominus Iesus (Latin for The Lord Jesus) is a declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. The document, which was published on 6 August 2000 is subtitled "On the uniqueness and salvific universality of Jesus Christ and the Church." It was signed by the then Prefect of the Congregation, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, which was elected in 2005 to the Pope.

Content

The title of Dominus Jesus is taken from the Letter to the Romans (Rom 10.9 EU).

In the declaration, the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church is explained and confirmed on the church. In particular, the origin of the Church in Jesus Christ, their oneness and unity, as well as their role in the salvation of men ( sacramental ) is explained.

In view of the different denominations, the explanation is different in sub-item 17 between

  • The " one Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church."
  • The "Churches which, while not in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, but by very close bonds, such as the apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, stay connected with her " (eg Orthodox churches). These are called "true particular Churches ".
  • The confessions, " which the valid Episcopate " " have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery " ( Bishops, especially the apostolic succession ) and (eg Reformed churches). These are referred to as " ecclesial communities ."

Reception

That the Protestant churches in the tradition of Unitatis redintegratio - the document of the Second Vatican Council on ecumenism - are not referred to as " churches " but as " ecclesial communities ", felt by many evangelical Christians as a reduction. They see it as mostly a deliberate step backwards in terms of the achievements of the Joint Declaration adopted almost a year before the doctrine of justification. From a Catholic perspective, but even special appreciation can be seen in this designation, since they are addressed not only as a faithful Christian associations or communities, but they are expressly granted ecclesiastical elements under the condition of the Catholic theological concept of the church. The Commission on Faith and thus tries to study in a theological endeavor to agree on the issue of ecclesiology.

The explanation is seen in connection with the scientific work of Ratzinger to Hellenistic Christianity.

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