Lecture - The Church - by William Henn

6 content. Finally, third , I will introduce structure and some of the content of this convergence, concluding with some reflections about how this new ecclesiological text may make a significant contribution to healing the divisions among Christians. I have come to believe that this new text can be seen as an expression of a very important ecumenical principle announced by Vatican II in its decree on ecumenism, Unitatis redintegratio , the 50 th anniversary of which we celebrate this month, that is, the principle that among Christian doctrine there exists “an order or ‘hierarchy’ truths” insofar as individual doctrines vary in their relation to the foundations of Christian faith. I believe that De Kerk, naar een gemeenschappelijke visie reflects what might be called a “hierarchy of ecclesiological truths.” By focusing upon the most fundamental aspects of Christian faith in regard to the reality and activity of the Church, divided Christian communities are placed within a new context and new ambiance within which they are invited to consider those ecclesiological differences which still divide them.