Out of nowhere, a sudden unchurching. (via Pharyngula)
From the CNN story (document isn't on vatican.va yet, it seems):
[..] described Christian Orthodox churches as true churches, but suffering from a "wound" since they do not recognize the primacy of the Pope.
But the document said the "wound is still more profound" in the Protestant denominations [...]
Ooh, a wound. I wonder, how would a denomination bleed? Perhaps they gush the stuff that faith is made of.
Looking this over again, it seems a fairly clear case of that classic tactic: reinforcing unity through the vilification of a common opponent.
Then there's this juicy soundbite from a Di Noia:
"But, as you know, it is fundamental to any kind of dialogue that the participants are clear about their own identity. That is, dialogue cannot be an occasion to accommodate or soften what you actually understand yourself to be."
Oh yes, I always find it impossible to talk to anyone not wearing a little belief-tag clearly labeling their ideological affiliation in detail.
Anyway, hmm. He's equating identity with dogma and then saying
Changing my dogma would be violating my identity.Isn't he?
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