The USCCB released a statement, from Bishop Richard Sklba, Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee and Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. One paragraph from that statement is worthy of reflection:
“Pope Benedict XVI has chosen to present the relationship of the Church and the Jews within the mystery of salvation as found in Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (cf. Rom 11:11-32). Central to the concerns of the Holy Father is the clear articulation that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and his Church. It is a faith that must never be imposed but always freely chosen.” (our emphasis)
Note that His Excellency did not say that “salvation comes through Jesus Christ…”. That would allow all sorts of Rhanerian end-runs around the dogmatic truth. His Excellency said that “salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and his Church.” That’s a firm confirmation of the necessity of the theological virtue of Faith, adding to it the role of the Church.
Thank you, Bishop Sklba!
