The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Church is One, and this one church subsists in the Catholic Church. "For it is through Christ’s Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained." During the Reformation under Henry VIII, the Church of England broke off from the Catholic Church. The primary issues causing the split were the denial of the authority of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) and the primacy of the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Therefore, these dialogs have attempted to resolve the differences related to authority and salvation. All Anglican clergy must subscribe to a statement of faith known as the "39 Articles of Religion." Article 11 states that "we are accounted righteous before God solely on account of the MERIT of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and not on account of our own good works... Consequently the teaching that we are justified by faith alone is a most wholesome and comforting doctrine." Unchangeable Catholic teaching condemned "justification by faith alone" at the COUNCIL OF TRENT. Article 19 states "As the churches of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch have erred, so also the Church of Rome has erred, not only in their practice and forms of worship but also in matters of faith." At the first Vatican Council, the Catholic Church condemned those who deny the INFALLIBILITY of the Pope. Also, while the Catholic Church teaches the perpetual sacrifice of Christ in the MASS, Article 31 states "the sacrifices of masses... were blasphemous fables and dangerous deceits."

Despite these major differences, the parties involved in these discussions have published various statements, using the language of ecumenism. Areas of agreement are stressed ("convergence in understanding"), while differences are minimized. Also, words are carefully scripted so that the opposing parties can read into the terms their own understanding. The conclusion to the agreement "Salvation and the Church" states: "The balance and coherence of the constitutive elements of the Christian doctrine of salvation had become partially obscured in the course of history and controversy. In our work we have tried to rediscover that balance and coherence and to express it together. We are agreed that this is not an area where any remaining differences of theological interpretation or ecclesiological emphasis, either within or between our Communions, can justify our continuing separation." And in its document "The Gift of Authority" ARCIC concludes "that Anglicans [can] be open to and desire a recovery and re-reception under certain clear conditions of the exercise of universal primacy by the Bishop of Rome."
 
How it came about:

The seeds of Catholic-Protestant ecumenical discussions began at Vatican II in 1962, when the Catholic Church changed its tone toward Protestants. They were renamed "separated brethren" who now are to be treated with respect and affection. While officially still condemning Protestant teaching, the Catholic Church includes these brethren within the confines of THE ONE TRUE CHURCH.

As part of this new openness, in March 1966 the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Michael Ramsey, paid an official visit to Pope Paul VI in Rome. This meeting led to the establishment of the international dialog of theologians known as ARCIC. Three topics were to be discussed: The Eucharist, ordination, and Church authority. Various statements were published, with the final report being presented in 1981. After this report, the committee began phase two, issuing four "Agreed Statements" related to salvation (1987), Church as Communion (1991), Life in Christ (1994), and Church authority (1999). Most recently, the commission has completed work on the Catholic dogmas of the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION and the ASSUMPTION of Mary (February 2004).

Why it is wrong:

1) ...because of the Commission’s calculated ambiguity involving the parsing of words, the ignoring of distinctions, and the promotion of double-speak;

2) ...because the Catholic Church, which claims historical infallibility, cannot possibly "negotiate" in good faith;

3) ...because the agreements lead people to believe that these church bodies have truly resolved their differences (which they have not), thereby promoting a false unity. This is a conspiracy which promotes a false gospel of ecumenism that leads people on the broad path that leads to destruction;

4) ...because it feeds the postmodern concept of truth as being relative, and denies the ultimate and timeless authority of the Scriptures.

5) ...because it is an offense to the martyrs of the faith, who gave their lives defending these "unimportant" doctrines.

Warnings from Scripture:

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ." Gal. 1:7

"But we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God." 1Cor. 4:2

" ‘Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,’ declares the LORD, ‘and related them, and led my people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit,’ declares the LORD." Jer. 23:32

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires; and will turn their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths." 2Tim. 4:3