The year 2000 is the Jubilee of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Being a Jubilee Year document, Dominus Iesus focuses on Jesus as "the way, the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6). It desires, among other things, to be an invitation to all Christians to renew their fidelity to him. He is the unique and universal Saviour of the world and the Lord of History.
The context of the declaration is dialogue with the great world religions. The Catholic Church has actively engaged in this for the past 35 years. As experience teaches, questions of identity are always important in dialogue. Indeed, Christ himself asked his followers on one special occasion for an answer to the basic question: "who do you say I am?" (Mk 8:29). In the light of who it is we say Christ is, this document also answers the question: "who do we Catholics say we are?"
Jesus Christ is one. His mystical Body, the Church, is one, and we are called to grow in the unity which the crucified and risen Lord has given us. This Declaration addresses how the one Church of Christ continues through history. It has always been the conviction of Catholics that the fullness of faith, worship and apostolic ministry given by Jesus Christ and enlivened by the Holy Spirit, continue in her. This is what is meant by the Second Vatican Council's statement that the Church of Christ "subsists in the Catholic Church" (Lumen Gentium, 8).
The Catholic conviction is based not upon any human merit, but upon the grace of the Lord who is always faithful. This conviction does not in any way diminish our deep respect for the other Churches and ecclesial communities. Precious elements of salvation are clearly present in them. The dialogue of life, holiness and prayer, as well as the common witness of martyrdom, clearly demonstrate this. The Catholic Church suffers because true particular Churches and ecclesial communities with these precious elements of salvation are separated from her.
Dominus Iesus desires to "speak the truth in love" (Eph 4:15) because to clarify is to advance dialogue and enhance openness. This can only contribute to the fulfilment of Jesus' dying wish: "May they all be one . . . so that the world may believe" (Jn 17:21). A new focus on ecumenism has already been generated by the publication of this document. This is to be welcomed and we look forward to the upcoming session of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting dedicated to Dominus Iesus.