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If that hits you hard, give me the benefit of your doubt here- I don't think there is anything in that Vatican statement that should worry anyone.  First of all, it was not saying anything "new."  The Catholic Church has said this about non-Catholic Churches since 1054 when Constantinople (the Eastern Church) split with Rome (The Roman Catholic Church).  It has only been said all the more often since the Protestant Reformation in the 1500's.  There are differences between the various denominations within Christianity.  Lutheran is not Catholic is not Presbyterian is not Christian Reformed is not UCC...  There may be lots of similarities between the various denominations, but there are difference and they matter somehow- big or small, they matter.  Here at Elmhurst, we'll talk a little more particularly about this overall statement at the Catholic Stuff Gathering on September 19.  If you can't make it and want to discuss it more, send me a message.  We could organize and evening discussion on the topic one night as well. 

By Rome saying (again) that non-Catholic Churches are not "true" churches, they are not saying that a good Catholic can't talk to non-Catholics or that non- Catholics aren't saved.  You can still have a Lutheran roommate or a UCC friend and you can still talk to the Campus Crusade guy in the cafeteria.  Instead of "true," maybe it would be better, or at least easier to say that Rome feels that if it isn't Catholic, it isn't as complete, and things ought to be complete.  On September 18, Cardinal Avery Dulles will be here on campus to deliver the Annual Bernardin Lecture.  He is simply a real smart Catholic guy.  His lecture is called "Common Ground, Solid Ground."  We talk with non-Catholics and when we talk about what we share in common, we are on solid ground.  Cardinal Avery Dulles knows this.  As a Cardinal, he is an advisor to the Pope.  I think the Pope knows we have common solid ground with non-Catholics and it is deeply valued.  It is.

Already, some people here on campus are talking about a number of the things that were said in that statement.  Good.  Talk about it- that's partly why the Vatican cranks this stuff out.  We need to learn and talk about our faith.  There are a few things I think it is important to be cautious about though.  First of all, consider the source.  It's all well and good that Matt Lauer and the Today Show let us know that the Vatican said something, but chances are, what Matt reports is going to be boiled down, summarized, edited, maybe even misunderstood and, dare I say, sometimes spun.  In fairness to Matt, it is even conceivable that a good Catholic source could boil down, summarize, edit, misunderstand and, dare I say, spin it as well.  So, what are you to do?  You could go to the source.   In this case, the particular document happens to be called "RESPONSES TO SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE DOCTRINE ON THE CHURCH."  And if you click that title, you can read the statement all by yourself.  It isn't long at all and is formatted as a series of questions and answers.  In other situations, go to the Catechism, visit the Vatican's website, look at the US Bishop's website, or talk to someone.  Use Google, but please tell me that you know that just because a web page said so, it may not necessarily be accurate.  I can pretty much assure you that Wikepedia won't be the most accurate source.

So, read the document and all life's problems will be solved.  Probably not.  I recognize that there is even a possibility that reading the document may confuse or aggravate some people even more.  It happens.  Well, again, give me the benefit of your doubt here and let me tell you that the Catholic Church is a good thing.  I do believe that it is holy, I know that it has Jesus Christ at its core and the only thing that it wants for all the world is peace and unity as the Body of Christ.  One who tends to believe conspiracy theories may not agree with me nor would someone who thinks it is a bunch of old guys on power trips.  Remember a few things- 

1. What you look for, you will find.  Look for examples of why the Church is nothing good, you will find those.  Look for examples of why the Church is holy and all about Jesus, you will find those.  I am not asking you to ignore troubles- we do have troubles here.  But when you are very aware of the good (in a church or in other people) it is a lot easier to respond positively when things get a little ugly.

2. Recognize that the Catholic Church is big.  It spans countries, languages, cultures, theologies, philosophies, centuries... and when one document comes out from Rome, even though it has been translated into our English language, it is likely that we will still need to ask lots of questions for clarification before we're in a good enough place to really say "I agree," or "I disagree."  Have your doubts- and ask your questions.  You aren't going to tumble the Church with any questions and the Church owes you (and can indeed provide) good, solid responses.  Don't settle for less. 

3. Stay with it.  I suppose this one is more particularly pointed at people who are Catholic- especially those of you who have been Baptized and certainly those Confirmed in the Church.  Stay with the Church through the comfortable and easy times as well as the uncomfortable and difficult times.  You said you would.  Do it.  Sometimes the Church does change because committed people keep working and the Church came to see their point.  Sometimes committed people change because they keep working and find a deep meaningful answer from the Church.

4. If it sounds stupid, that's because it is stupid.  Any time you hear any information that sounds stupid about the the Church that's a pretty good impetus to look into it.  There's more to it.  Maybe some truth in what you heard, probably some misinformation, definitely worth the effort for you to seek clarification.  I think because I am listening with American ears, or reading with American eyes, it did sound stupid for me to hear that a statement came out proclaiming non-Catholic churches not "true."  Well, indeed it was, pardon me, a little stupid.  After reading the document myself, considering it in light of what I know about Church history and doctrine and having a few good conversations about it, I know what was meant and I don't think it is stupid.     

I've written quite a bit here.  I plan to continue doing this and I invite you to post comments, share questions and get other topics going.  I suppose this is the Catholic Stuff blog.  All my best for a great school year here at Elmhurst.  -Kevin