A partial darkening and some internal corruption was foretold for the Church (initially for the Temple) in prophecy and occurred at its appointed time, resulting in apostasy and the fragmentation of the Western Church along with the development of some fatally flawed theology. But then “there must be sects among you, that those who are approved might be recognized among you”677. But given the timeline there now needs to be unity amongst the churches so that the Good News of the Kingdom can be preached
coherently as a witness to the un-churched before the end of the current arrangements on earth. The Catholic and Orthodox churches must be open to the Spirit of Truth, and therefore to new enlightenment regarding issues not directly challenging the Creed or Deposit, relating rather to scriptural interpretation. That is something in which Protestant scholars often excel; and unlike the controversies of the middle-ages these do not necessarily challenge ecclesiological integrity, although they may well challenge some established doctrines. For as the Catholic Church acknowledges:
“There is a hierarchy of truths since not all truths of the Catholic doctrine are equally connected with the foundation of the Christian faith”678
If the Spirit were to encounter intransigence in one quarter, He might very well turn to another to spearhead the process and put the former to shame. At the end of the day, home must be where the heart is, yet others may become instrumental in leading the way.
676 Origen de Principiis - Preface paras 2 and 3
677 1Cor11:19
678 Unitatis Redintegratio 1964 – para 11
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-
ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html
103
The Head of this fractured Body may of course call upon whomsoever He pleases to enlighten the Church, for His ways are inscrutable and He clearly has a sense of humour679.