Saturday 23 November 1963
At 4.30 pm, sub-commission meeting at St. Martha’s. Msgr. Garrone told me that Cardinal Suenens had said yesterday that the Pope will come in aula on 3 and 4 December: that he will consult the Fathers on the date of the next Session; and finally—this, in my view, is very important and concerns a matter to which I have several times drawn attention—that he is looking for a formula for proclaiming the decree on the liturgy that ASSOCIATES THE BISHOPS with the Pope. Something other than ‘Paulus, sacro approbante concilio’ [Paul, with the approval of the sacred Council] . . . ! Mgr Garrone also told me that there was a split within the Secretariat for unity. A goodly number would like to detach Chapter 4 (on the Jews) and Chapter 5 (Freedom) from the schema on ecumenism. It would be stubborn of Cardinal Bea to defend the unity of the five chapters.
Monday 25 November 1963
Discussion of chapter I of De oecumenismo.
Cardinal Léger: in favor of a more precise presentation of the mark of unity, which seems too monolithic and uniform; the schema should state better how to overcome the DOGMATIC difficulties. Veritas non tantum in caritate, sed etiam in humilitate [Truth not only in charity, but also in humility] (intellectual humility). This, in the name of the transcendence of dogmatic [[spirits]], struggles against intellectual immobilism.
Cardinal Ritter: in favor of a better expression of the doctrinal bases of ecumenism (christological basis).
Cardinal Bea: on the title. De christianorum unitate fovenda [On promoting the unity of Christians] had been suggested. The Secretariat will study it. There has been reference to the possible dangers. It is for the local ordinaries to supervise ecumenical activity. The episcopal conferences should establish a local secretariat. Doctrinal dialogue should be conducted only by well-prepared and sound theologians: this is something that the local ordinaries can appreciate better than the Roman dicasteries. It has been said that the schema praises highly the good that is found among non-Catholics and does not sufficiently set forth Catholic doctrine. But the schema is addressed TO CATHOLICS. There has been an objection to the advisability of prayer in common on the grounds that each person will bring to it his or her own concept of unity.
Cardinal Tisserant: on the way in, a leaflet was being distributed calling on the Fathers to vote against the schema on communications. The Council of Presidents and the Moderators deplore this procedure, which is unworthy of the Council. (Why did nobody protest when leaflets about the text on the De Beata [On the Blessed Virgin] were likewise distributed?)
Msgr. Stourm read the relatio [report] of the modi that had been inserted into the schema in question. I went out for a while during this time; I saw Jedin. I spoke to him about the question of how the Pope would promulgate the Decree on the liturgy. They had had a meeting at which Msgr. Colombo and Dossetti were also present. They had suggested: the Pope, having received the agreement of the Council, assentitur [gives his assent] and promulgates the decree passed by the Council. It is not known what the Pope will do with this suggestion, but the matter has been raised and this suggestion has been passed on to him. Msgr. Guano1 distinguished three progressive moments in the ecumenical approach: a) collaboration in Christian social action; b) dialogue; c) a deeper communion, based on prayer and paving the way for eucharistic communion.
Msgr. Tawil (Syria): The title: De catholicis principiis oecumenismi [on the Catholic principles of ecumenism]. In the schema there is no theology of discord, whereas there is one in Sacred Scripture. He enlarged on it admirably. He spoke of the different traditions and explained their existence in the East, not without saying a word about Latinization. The Uniates have no ecumenical sense except in relation to Orthodoxy which they represent in the Catholic Church.
Fr. Fernandez, OP (many departures for the bar): The title: principia catholica de oecumenismo [the Catholic principles of ecumenism], or the title suggested by Cardinal Bea. The most important result of the Council will be the opening to the others and to the world. However, some comments: 1) Individual conversions, which ecumenism does not harm. 2) On the doctrinal preaching of the faith: ‘witness’ is not sufficient.
Msgr. Gahamanyi, in the name of the episcopal conference of Rwanda and Burundi: tone and content very tiring: mostly warnings.
Msgr. Pangrazio (India): in favor of a more dynamic, more historical presentation of the Church.
Canestri: Auxiliary of the Cardinal Vicar of Rome: detailed comments for a more precise formulation… In favor of ‘clarae distinctiones’ [clear distinctions]. ‘unum Christi ovile sub uno pastore Petro’ [A single flock of Christ under the one shepherd who is Peter].
Felici: results of the votes on the modi to the schema on the means of communication: Number of those voting 2,032; Yes 1,788; No 331.
This evening, at 5 pm, at the Lateran, Requiem Mass for President Kennedy.
Yves Congar, My Journal of the Council, pp. 448-449, 451-453. For previous posts in this series, simply enter “Congar” in the search box in the upper right. The 1100-page book can be purchased from Liturgical Press.
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