Interpretation of the Church as Communion in the Document The Church: Towards A Common Vision

Abstract

This article deals with the interpretation of the Church as communion as presented in the document The Church: Towards a Common Vision, of the “Faith and Order” Commission. After a short presentation of the stages of the Commission’s work that contributed to the emergence of the ecclesiological category of communion, the meaning of this category in the document is described. This begins with the definition of the Church as communion. This definition indicates three interrelated dimensions of ecclesial communion: with the Triune God, in the life of the community of believers and in its mission. Subsequently the most important aspects of these three dimensions are described from an ecumenical perspective. The Church is a mysterious reality of the saving communion between man and the Triune God. Therefore, in the life of the Church it means to move towards eschatological fullness, by growing in essential elements of visible communion: faith, sacramental life, ministry and mission in the world. The mission of the Church is interpreted as introducing communion in a world that is marked by divisions and brokenness because of sin. Primarily, it consists of inviting all people to accept the salvation in Jesus Christ, followed then by its commitment to the social and moral struggles of all humanity and to promotion of the unity of creation. Throughout, important ecumenical issues are considered as a whole with their possible interpretation in the perspective of communion.