Christchurch, New Zealand, (Reuters)
Pope John Paul 11 expressed strong
support Monday for Christian unity but warned that Catholics had important disagreements with other churches that could not
be compromised.---
---"We are convinced that the goal is not simply partnership. It is nothing less than the fullness
of communion in a visible organic unity. The ecumenical way cannot be one of reduction."
The pope's remarks appeared to be a subtle warning to New Zealand bishops who plan next spring to make the rare move for a
Catholic hierarchy of joining other denominations in a revamped National Council of Churches.
With this statement,
the pope declares that
there will be no compromise
on the side of the Catholic Church as concerns any of her dogmas and requirements. But that all
the other churches and communions are to submit to the Catholic Church authority,
in order to bring about this "visible organic union".
