Ecumenism: Mutual Sacraments

Another ancient barrier of suspicion between Roman Catholics and Protestants seems about to fall: the distrust of one another's sacraments. Catholics have historically refused to acknowledge the validity of such Protestant spiritual acts as ordination, confirmation and celebration of the Eucharist, although they do not question Protestant baptisms or marriages.* In the current issue of the in terdenominational Journal of Ecumenical Studies, Dutch Jesuit Frans Josef van Beeck, 36, finds a basis for arguing that Catholics can give full credit and validity to any or all of the Protestant spiritual acts.

Essential Requirements. Van Beeck, who is director of studies...

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