The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church states, "The church, in Christ, is a sacrament and instrument of communion with God and of the unity of the entire human race" (Lumen Gentium, The Mystery of the Church, Ia, 1).

Later, the document --- referring to non-Catholic Christians --- indicates that "those brothers and sisters separated from the Church are not blessed with the unity that Jesus wishes to bestow. It is through Christ's Catholic Church alone that the fullness of salvation can be obtained" (Catholic Principles on Ecumenism, I, 3).

Humanly speaking, it is almost impossible to reach any kind of agreement toward unity "on my terms only." Even from the apostolic view, the meaning of "fullness of salvation" is not clear. Is there a partial salvation? Does the doctrine of purgatory answer this question?

To complicate this dilemma, the document vaguely indicates that when comparing doctrines it should be remembered that in Catholic doctrine, there exists an order or "hierarchy" of truths (I, 9). Does this hierarchy have to do with the magisterial authority of the church guided by the Holy Spirit? If so, to what degree of hierarchy are lay Christians in relation with the Holy Spirit?

Jesus tells us that "whoever is not against us is for us," and ordered his disciples not to stop them from performing mighty deeds in his name (Mark 9: 39-40). St. Paul urged the newly converted Christians not to be divided but be united in mind and purpose (1 Corinthians 1: 10-13).

Regarding the relationship of the church with other non-Christian religions, Nostra Aetate states, "The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these (other) religions. Humanity forms but one community. We are all stems of one stock which God created to people the entire earth. We all share a common destiny, namely God. His saving designs extend to all humankind (Wisdom 8: 1; Acts 14: 17; Romans 2: 6-7; 1 Timothy 2: 4)."

We are all children of God and heirs to his kingdom. "Forgive them, Father, because they know not what they are doing" reminds us that Jesus died for all humanity. He was not limiting his petition only to the Romans and the Pharisees. Pope John Paul II supported the universality of Christ's sacrifice when he prayed among Jews at the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem and also prayed with Moslem religious leaders in a Mosque.

God's love for all humanity appears dramatically in the Old Testament when God called Cyrus, a pagan Persian king, "his anointed." Cyrus brought the captive Hebrews back to the holy land. (Isaiah 45: 1). Jesus supported this universal teaching of the Old Testament when he taught in the synagogue of Nazareth indicating that God favors the Gentiles as well, prefiguring this way the future Christian mission to the Gentiles (Luke 4: 24-28). Thus for God, all human beings are His children.

Roman Catholics are taught that the sacraments are instruments of grace for salvation, especially baptism and the Eucharist. They are not, however, salvation by themselves. If according to this document, the church in Christ is a sacrament and instrument of communion with God, then it embodies the unity of the entire human race. It is imperative to realize that any dialogue in search for unity must be done on equal terms, not on "my terms alone." Jesus told the apostles: "A kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste" (Luke 11: 17).

Jesus built his church on Peter (Rock) and entrusted him with the keys (authority) to the Kingdom of heaven. He bestowed upon him the pastoral care of the church, but Jesus never told Peter, or the apostles, to monopolize the faith of His church. According to Nostra Aetate, God's saving designs extend to all humankind.

This declaration has a magnificent conclusion, recommending non-discrimination against other religions, and postulating the common denominator of the golden rule: "They who do not love, do not know God" (1 John 4: 8). There will be no dilemma if the attitude taken in ecumenical dialogue is humble and genuinely executed with brotherly love, and on equal terms.

Norberto (Bert) Pautassi leads Bible study at St. Gregory the Great Church, Whittier.