Perspectief 2014-25

2014-25 Legal positioning 21 Reageer the proper place to examine some of the remarks made by Ladislas Örsy in his book Theology and canon law . In this I will focus on the relationship between canon law and ecumenism in particular. The new codex was initiated by the Second Vatican Council. Örsy points to the new attitude this Council displayed and that resonates in the new codex. Örsy describes this attitude by saying that “with the help of increased knowledge, the mind can move into a higher viewpoint, take a fresh look at familiar things, and have the basis to raise new questions. The answers will be a felicitous synthesis of old and new, just as happened at Vatican II.” 2 With regard to ecumenism, this new way of thinking resulted in the Council’s shift “ from confessional conflict to ecumenical vision . (...) The council moved away from such hostile attitudes and came to a better understanding of unity, notwithstanding our differences. This movement gave a new direction to the Catholic Church in ecumenical matters and created a much more favorable climate for the work of reunion.” 3 The codex is rather concise when it comes to the Eucharist in ecumenical context. Two canons are of special interest. Canon 844 states about the administration of the Eucharist to non Catholics in paragraphs one and four: §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and can. 861, §2. §4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan Bishop or conference of Bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed. 2 Örsy, Theology and Canon Law , 15 [italics by Örsy]. 3 Örsy, Theology and Canon Law , 13 [italics by Örsy].