The Catholic magisterium and world religions: a study in the modern history of theology

Abstract

From the time of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has sought to develop a positive approach to other religions and to interreligious relations in its official teaching. This article outlines the main themes of this teaching in Conciliar and subsequent Papal documents. The Church’s approach is seen to be rooted in the affirmation of the unity of all humanity and is always Christological and ecclesiological in character. The consequent call for dialogue and collaboration becomes a means by which Christians can share in and extend God’s own saving dialogue with humanity. The scope of dialogue has also been deepened so that it encompasses the whole of the lived relation Christians have with members of other religions. The article also considers the main ways in which Catholic theologians have extended official teaching in their more systematic approaches.