The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Christ's followers are bound together above all by charity. But the unity of us who are still on earth, the pilgrim Church, "is also assured by visible signs of communion, through the profession of one faith received from the Apostles, the common celebration of divine worship, especially of the sacraments, and, apostolic succession through the sacrament of Holy Orders" (no. 815).If in the Catholic Church the sacraments are visible signs of communion, how about in the Catholic Church inasmuch as she is in a journey towards communion with other Christian Churches? What are some considerations on the sacraments in the ecumenical dialogue?

The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, in its document, The Ecumenical Dimension In The Formation Of Those Engaged In Pastoral Work, includes the study of Catholic principles directing spiritual and sacramental sharing among the current issues in ecumenism. The same document, in the section on the Purpose and Method of Ecumenism, says that "The Catholic understanding of unity sees it as a gift by means of which God makes Christians sharers in his own communion. Its central constituents are: unity of faith, unity in the sacramental life and unity in ministry". The sacraments, then, being a visible sign of communion within the Catholic Church, cannot be disregarded in the dialogue towards communion with other Christian Churches. Baptism constitutes a fundamental bond of communion among Christians. The wounds to unity that have given rise to the different churches have not changed the fact that "all who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church." (Unitatis Redintegratio 3 § 1).Likewise the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity's Directory For The Application Of Principles And Norms On Ecumenism, ofMarch 25, 1993, discusses "the communion that exists with other Christians on the basis of the sacramental bond of Baptism, and the norms for sharing in prayer and other spiritual activities, including in particular cases sacramental sharing". Administration of the sacraments of the Eucharist, Penance and Anointing of the Sick to Christians of other Churches and ecclesial Communities is to be "permitted, or even commended", though "only to those who share its oneness in faith, worship and ecclesial life", and only "in certain circumstances, by way of exception, and under certain conditions". Within these paramenters, "as well as being signs ,sacraments-most specially the Eucharist-are sources of the unity of the Christian community and of spiritual life, and are means for building them up". Ecumenism is a task that transcends human powers. Thus the need to imitate Christ by praying for unity: "That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21).

References

1. Vatican II, Unitatis Redintegratio.

2. Catechism of the Catholic Church 813-822

3. Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, can. 671, §2-§3

4. Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms of Ecumenism.

5. Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Guidelines for Admission to the Eucharist Between the Chaldean Church and the Assyrian Church of the East, Rome, July 20th, 2001.