Vol 42 No 2 - A Canonist's Perspective on Harvesting the Fruits

Sep 21, 2026

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Vol 42, No 2 presents a canonist’s perspective on Cardinal Walter Kasper’s work Harvesting the Fruits, focusing on ecumenical dialogues between the Catholic Church and Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed, and Methodist partners. The discussion addresses how dialogue presupposes shared identity toward visible communion while acknowledging diversity among approaches. It examines asymmetries between dialogue partners, progress and remaining differences, and the need for official reception of dialogue documents. It also considers underlying canonical issues and how canon law connects to ecumenical developments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

A Canonist's Perspective on Harvesting the Fruits

Dialogue, identity, and visible communion

Asymmetries among dialogue partners and shared grounds

Progress, consensus, and remaining differences

Reception of dialogue documents

Canonical issues underlying the dialogues

Vol 42 No 2 ■ Graymoor Ecumenical &Interreligious Institute ■ February 2013 A Ministry ofthe Franciscan Friars ofthe Atonement A Canonist's Perspective on Harvesting the Fruits By Thomas J.Green Dialogue presupposes a sense of identity with the goal ofvisible communion which admits of diversity.Christ is the basisand goal of the dialogue,the ultimate goal which is to be reachedthrough various intermediate goals. ne of the most significant ecumenical works of the pastdecade was a series of reflections on various ecumenicaldialogues by Cardinal Walter Kasper,the former presidentof the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.The workentitled Harvesting the Fruits examined various aspects of fourinternational dialogues involving the Catholic Church and Lutherans,Anglicans,Reformed Christians,and Methodists.! Interestingly enough there is a certain lack of symmetryamong the dialogue partners that clearly impacts their interrela-tionships.For example,only Catholics have an authoritativeMagisterium to which they can refer on disputed issues whereasother dialogue partners refer to confessional writings or otherauthorities.A common ground for all,however,in addressing suchissues are the Scriptures and the Fathers. In his introductory reflections²Kasper notes that the conciliardecree Unitatis redintegratio brought the Catholic Church officiallyinto the ecumenical movement,e.g.,through the establishment ofecclesial dialogues at various levels,which have produced variousdocuments aimed at overcoming earlier divisions,especially ontheological issues.This has led to progress on various fronts and theidentification of a consensus but also differences on various issues. After listing the key issues in the dialogues Kasper notes theorganization of the chapters of the book.First he will describe theReformation controversies.Then he will clarify the progressthat has been made while indicating points of consensus anddifferences.Finally he will offer some preliminary conclusions,summarize the positive achievements of the dialogues and theremaining questions they have not resolved,and look to the future. Yet changes in the ecumenical world raise questions aboutmethodology and past achievements among other aspects of thedialogues.This prompts a serious effort by Kasper to assess suchachievements and clarify the future tasks of the dialogues.Dialoguedocuments generally are not authoritative and need official receptionand recognition,which Kasper attempts to foster with the current work. The former Council president sees no reason to be pessimisticgiven notable ecumenical progress in the last four decades underthe influence of the Spirit;yet frankly there are still fundamentalproblems to be solved and differences to be overcome.For Kasperthese issues are basically theological in character,and this hassurely been the primary focus of the dialogues.In this connectionone can point to a number of authors who have addressed suchtheological issues and commented on Harvesting the Fruits,especially in this journal.3 Despite the importance of dialogue with the Orthodoxchurches,with whom the Catholic Church has a special ecclesialand sacramental relationship,his focus is on the dialogues withWestern Christians:Lutheran,Methodist,Anglican,and Reformed.His objective is to view the dialogues individually and in theirinterrelationships even given differences in their origins,logic,andthe methodology of the dialogues.He also mentions certain agree-ments among the dialogue partners. With that being said,one might also note certain canonicalissues that underlie the dialogues which Kasper analyzes.Theresolution of such canonical problems is integral to the ongoingpursuit of the corporate unity which is clearly a primary concern By examining the central themes of the Christian faith as theysurface in the dialogues,one can discern points of consensus andremaining questions and differences.The startin

FAQs

What does the document say ecumenical dialogue presupposes and aims for?

It states that dialogue presupposes a sense of identity with the goal of visible communion, reaching the ultimate goal through intermediate steps.

Which Christian partners does the document focus on alongside the Catholic Church?

It highlights dialogues with Western Christians: Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican, and Reformed partners.

Why are canonical problems described as important for the dialogues?

It says resolution of canonical problems is integral to pursuing corporate unity and is tied to the broader relationship between canon law and ecumenical developments.

Sep 21, 2026

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