Ecumenism of Blood: Heavenly Hope for Earthly Communion - Softcover

Knapman OSB, Hugh Somerville

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0809153718 ISBN 13: 9780809153718

Publisher: Paulist Press, 2018

Synopsis

Ecumenism of Blood demonstrates that it is possible within the status quo of Catholic doctrine for the Catholic Church to recognize in some official way, in this case liturgically, the Christian martyrs of the eastern churches. Such a development would have immense implications as an example of realizable, practicable ecumenism, as well as a gesture of solidarity with an ancient and persecuted church. Pope Francis's unsystematic references to ecumenism of blood offers an opening, though many in the blogosphere mentioned the ancient denial of the martyr's crown to heretics and schismatics. However, if blood could baptize non-Christians who died in odio Christi, why could it not absolve non-Catholic Christians from schism? Thus, it seemed possible for there to be a reconciliation of blood that could be derived by analogy from baptism of blood. Searching the tradition, it is possible to see this development prepared for, especially from Benedict XIV and reaching a climax with John Paul II's Ut unum sint, the teaching of which is conclusive. Considering ecumenical sensitivity and to avoid the appearance of ecclesial imperialism, Ecumenism of Blood proposes the mechanism of equivalent canonization as a means of realizing what is shown as doctrinally possible. The obvious question serves as an epilogue: would the blood of martyrdom for Christ reconcile any non-Catholic to the Church, even those from communities outside the apostolic succession.

About this title

About the Author:

Hugh Somerville-Knapman, OSB, holds an STB from the Lateran University. He is currently based at Douai Abbey, in the UK, occasionally supplying in parishes and assisting with chaplaincy work at Winchester College.

Review:

Each year, tens of thousands of Christians, from multiple churches and ecclesial communities, are murdered for confessing Christ: though divided on earth, they are united in death. In this brilliant theological debut, Fr. Knapman explores the ecumenism of blood - an idea popularized by Pope Francis, but with deep roots in sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Magisterium of the Church. This is the most important work of ecumenical theology I have read in years. --Stephen Bullivant, professor of theology, St. Mary;s University, Twickenham, UK

About this edition

• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0809153718
• ISBN 13: 9780809153718
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152