VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- John Paul II defended a recent Church document that reaffirms "the one Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church." Speaking at the end of a Mass where 123 new saints were canonized, the Pope said the "Dominus Iesus" document published Sept. 5 was not prompted by  "arrogance" but by "the joyful recognition that Christ showed himself to us without any merit on our part."  The Holy Father’s statement came in the wake of press speculation --  particularly by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica -- that he is not in agreement with "Dominus Iesus" which was published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and signed by its prefect, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. The declaration affirms the unique and universal character of the salvation brought by Christ.  "The saints who were raised today to the glory of the altars urge us to look at Christ," the Pope said.  "They lived rooted in faith in him, the redeemer of all men, the  only-begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father and has revealed him,"he explained before praying the "Angelus" in the presence of 70,000 people who braved heavy rains in St. Peter's Square.  He continued: "Our confession of Christ as the only Son, through whom we ourselves see the face of the Father, is not arrogance that shows contempt for other religions, but the joyful recognition that Christ showed himself to us without any merit on our part.  "And, at the same time, he has urged us to continue to give that which we have received and also to communicate to others that which was given to us, because the Truth that was given and the Love that God is belong to all men."  Recalling the words from the Acts of the Apostles that say outside of  Christ there is no salvation, John Paul II pointed out that the "Dominus  Iesus" declaration does no more than follow Vatican Council II, which does not deny salvation to non-Christians "but explains its ultimate source in Christ."  Thus, the Holy Father continued, the declaration "clarifies the essential Christian elements, which do not obstruct the dialogue, but show its basis, because a dialogue without foundations would be destined to degenerate into empty verbosity."  The declaration has been criticized by some Christian denominations because it states that "the one Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church."  The Pope explained, however, that "it does not intend with this to express little regard for the other churches and ecclesial communities." On the contrary, he said, the "Catholic Church suffers … by the fact that true particular churches and ecclesial communities, with precious elements of salvation, have separated from her. ... "It is my hope that, after so many mistaken interpretations, this heartfelt declaration will finally be able to achieve its clarifying function, as well as that of openness."

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