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“Overcoming the Divisiveness of Babel”: The Languages of Catholicity
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 September 2014
Abstract
Contemporary issues in the American Catholic Church can sound like a modern-day confusion of tongues making communication impossible. Furthermore, the traditional marks of the Church have supported the notion that dissent and controversy are to be discouraged. This article examines catholicity and shows that its definitions and uses in history have tied it to uniformity when its essential characteristic may well be the celebration of pluralism. Catholicity is placed in the context of modern mission theory in such a way that current challenges can be interpreted as so many new languages which require patient understanding.
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- Copyright © The College Theology Society 1987
References
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22 In the context of the War of 1812, Stephen Decatur (1779-1820), a stubborn patriot and naval officer, made the following toast: “Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong!” This sentiment is reported to have been echoed by Cardinal Spellman during the Vietnam War, giving further evidence that American Catholics were unquestionably patriotic.
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