Unity through diversity : J. Ratzinger's/Benedict XVI's ecumenical theses and questions

Abstract

Christian unity is desired by Christ Himself and, consequently, it is also a continuous imperative of Christian conscience and particular care on part of each pope. The starting point of J. Ratzinger/Benedict XVI’s thought and teaching is clear distinction between seeking unity through human strategy and the way to unity ultimately accepted as the gift of God Himself. Consequently, it paves the way for thinking about Christian schism in the context of “Divine retribution,” that is, the situation where God still acts and attracts to Himself. Such a perspective protects against vanity and ambition to organise the world as if according to “God’s way,” but — in practice — without God. Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI copes with ecumenically tempting notions-proposals (e.g., pluralism) that lead to an apprehensive forgetting of one’s own identity. His lodestars are: Christ — the Truth — longing — patience — suffering — good — conversion.