8.235. Is there a contradiction between Vatican II’s teaching that the Church of Christ “subsists in” the Catholic Church (Lumen Gentium) and the traditional doctrine that it is the Catholic Church?
Yes, there is a significant doctrinal contradiction between the traditional Catholic teaching that the Church of Christ is the Roman Catholic Church, and Vatican II’s novel claim that the Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church. This change in terminology represents more than a semantic shift—it opens the door to ecclesiological pluralism and undermines the Church’s exclusive identity, unity, and visibility as the one true Church founded by Christ.
1. Traditional Teaching: The Church of Christ Is the Catholic Church
For nearly two millennia, the Church has consistently and unequivocally taught that the Mystical Body of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church are one and the same. This identity is affirmed in encyclicals, councils, and catechisms:
“The Church is visible and must be known by all. The Church founded by Christ is the Catholic Church, and no other can be the true one.”
“The Mystical Body of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church are one and the same thing.”
“The Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes, and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church… can have eternal life.”
This teaching emphasized that the one Church of Christ is a visible, hierarchical, and exclusive society, possessing the four marks: one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic. All other groups—whether Protestant sects or schismatic Orthodox churches—are outside her visible unity, and union with her is necessary for salvation.
2. Vatican II's Novel Formula: Subsists In
In Lumen Gentium §8, the Council declared:
“This Church, constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church... Nevertheless, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside of its visible structure.”
This marks a significant departure from prior magisterial language. Rather than affirming that the Church of Christ is the Catholic Church, Vatican II claims it subsists in her—implying that the Church of Christ exists fully in the Catholic Church, but partially elsewhere as well.
This new formulation was intentionally ambiguous. It was designed to leave room for recognizing other Christian bodies as participating in the Church of Christ to some degree. In fact, “Cardinal” Joseph Ratzinger (later Benedict XVI) admitted that the term “subsists in” was chosen specifically to allow for an “ecclesial reality” beyond the visible Catholic Church.
3. The Problem with Subsists In
The phrase “subsists in” is problematic for several reasons:
Ambiguity: It implies that the Church of Christ may be more expansive than the Roman Catholic Church. This opens the door to the idea that Orthodox, Anglican, or Protestant groups can be part of the true Church of Christ.
Rejection of Prior Doctrine: The traditional formula that the Church of Christ is the Catholic Church is precise, exclusive, and binding. By replacing “is” with “subsists in,” Vatican II creates room for theological pluralism and denies the unity and exclusivity of the Catholic Church.
Ecclesiological Confusion: If the Church of Christ exists partly outside of the Catholic Church, what is the value of visible membership, submission to the pope, and adherence to the true faith? The Council’s wording weakens the necessity of formal membership in the Church.
4. Responses from Post-Vatican II Rome
The post-conciliar magisterium attempted to clarify this confusion, but only reinforced the novelty:
“The Church of Christ continues to exist fully only in the Catholic Church… although outside her structure many elements can be found.”
But this “fullness” language further implies that other communities are part of the Church in some way, just not “fully.” This contradicts the earlier magisterial teaching that non-Catholic groups have no share in the true Church.
5. Theological Implications
Visibility and Unity: The traditional Church is a visible, unified body. Vatican II’s “subsists in” opens the possibility of a divided Church, scattered across denominations.
Indefectibility: If the Church of Christ is not exclusively the Catholic Church, then indefectibility is no longer a property of a visible institution, but a vague “presence” across communities.
Salvation and Conversion: The missionary urgency to convert souls to the one Church is weakened. If others already “participate” in the Church, why call them to enter it?
| Category | Traditional Catholic Teaching | Vatican II – Lumen Gentium §8 | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Church Identity | The Church of Christ *is* the Roman Catholic Church | The Church of Christ *subsists in* the Catholic Church | “Subsists in” weakens identity and introduces ambiguity |
| Unity | Church is one visible body under one pope | Other communities possess “elements of truth and sanctification” | Contradicts the Church’s mark of visible unity |
| Salvation | Outside the Church there is no salvation | Other Christian groups may contribute to salvation | Contradicts *Cantate Domino* and *Unam Sanctam* |
| Membership | Formal membership in the Church is required | Partial communion suffices for some grace and truth | Undermines the necessity of conversion |
| Magisterial Continuity | Consistent from early councils through Pius XII | Departed from prior language and meaning | Breaks with previous teaching, causes ecclesial confusion |
Summary:
The Church has always taught that the Mystical Body of Christ is the Roman Catholic Church—visible, hierarchical, and unified under the pope. This doctrine is clear and consistent in the teachings of popes, councils, and catechisms. Membership in the Church is necessary for salvation, and those outside are called to enter through conversion.
Vatican II, however, replaced the precise term “is” with the ambiguous phrase “subsists in.” This formulation, found in Lumen Gentium §8, implies that the Church of Christ exists fully in the Catholic Church but also in some way exists or is present in other Christian communities. This contradicts traditional teaching by suggesting that the one true Church may be found in parts elsewhere, and that salvation and sanctification can be accessed outside of her visible bounds.
The consequences of this shift are profound. The visibility and unity of the Church are compromised. The urgency of missionary activity and conversion is diminished. The faithful are led to believe that all churches are part of the Body of Christ, simply in varying degrees. Such a concept is foreign to Catholic tradition and undermines the Church’s claim to be the sole ark of salvation.
For traditional Catholics, and especially for sedevacantists, the teaching of Lumen Gentium §8 is irreconcilable with the perennial doctrine of the Church. It represents a rupture, not a development. True Catholics must therefore reject the Vatican II novelty and hold fast to the doctrine that the one Church of Christ is none other than the Roman Catholic Church—outside of which there is no salvation.