Self-Understanding in the Roman Catholic Church in relation to Social Andreligious Pluralism

Abstract

This article was the result of a lecture given at the Catholic-Lutheran Seminar on Ecumenical Ecclesiology, held in Sao Leopoldo, RS, coordinated by the Commission for Catholic-Lutheran Bilateral Dialogue of Brazil. The purpose of the paper is to show the self-understanding that the Roman Catholic Church, as is the usual terminology in ecumenical dialogue, has of itself, in order to promote a dialogue with the Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB). Thus, the route taken was to start with the approach to the Church’s self-identity, passing through the major doctrinal points that express its identity, according to their Tradition and theological reflection, and then examine their relationship with social and religious pluralism. The author has, through a sincere and respectful language, permeated the major doctrinal points, in order to foster an ecumenical dialogue concerning Ecclesiology.