Disingenuous to use Luther’s teaching as showing way to unity

Fr Sean McManus (May 21) enquired whether Free Presbyterian congregations were in the dark regarding ecumenical advances, as he continues to mull over my article printed in The Bulwark about the Mass. It can never be argued that congregations affiliated to the Presbytery of Ulster are ignorant about ecumenism.  One of the prime reasons why the denomination was formed in 1951 and why thousands have been led by the Holy Ghost to join our ranks, is because of the ecumenical trend that exists within certain Protestant denominations.

This is not the real question.
I would suggest another more pertinent question: Is ecumenism a biblical approach towards Catholicism?

Fr McManus has chosen to present ‘the great Martin Luther’ as an exemplar whose teachings on the Eucharist can help to provide common ground between Protestantism and Catholicism.
My article (I wonder how many who criticise my words have read the article?), highlighted this very issue. I agree that Luther did accept the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but he also rejected transubstantiation, believing that while the Son of God became present in the sacrament, the essence of the bread and wine remained unchanged. This became a hot debate between the Lutheran and the Reformed Churches, led by John Calvin.

It is somewhat disingenuous, however, for Fr McManus to use Luther’s teachings as a light showing the way to unity with the Papacy.  One of the German Reformer’s most influential works, published in 1521 was ‘The Babylonian Captivity of the Church’. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to hear from Luther himself rather than the opinion of a commentator in the form of Lyndal Roper.

In Luther’s introduction he described the theology of Rome as propping up an idol, by the way in which the Papacy was elevated. What would he have made of the more modern invention of Papal Infallibility, when the Pope speaking Ex Cathedra defines faith and morals for all Christians?

Luther went onto to argue that the true Church was held in captivity because of the way the Papacy had corrupted the sacraments. In this work he reduced the sacraments from seven to three, reserving his most intense criticism for the corruption of ordination and the office of the priesthood.

Has the Roman Church changed since the days of Luther? Does the Papacy continue to dominate? Can the Church of Christ exist without being in subjection to the Pope?

Yes, it is sadly true that some Protestant Churches have capitulated and have become part of a process leading their flocks back into the Babylonian bondage that Luther so boldly and bravely broke free from.   We call on Christians to resist this trend, not only by objection but by separation because truth cannot mix with error.

Rev PETER McINTYRE
Clogher, Co Tyrone