(Numbers are paragraph numbers in Denzinger's Enchiridion Symbolorum, The Sources of Catholic Dogma, 30th Edition) From the

Letter of the Sacred Office, September 16, 1864 1685 It has been made known to the Apostolic See that some Catholic laymen and ecclesiastics have enrolled in a society to "procure" as they say, the unity of Christianity, established at London in the year 1857, and that already many journalistic articles have been published, which are signed by the names of Catholics approving this society, or which are shown to be the work of churchmen commending this same society. But certainly, I need not say what the nature of this society is, and whither it is tending; this is easily understood from the articles of the newspaper entitled THE UNION REVIEW, and from that very page on which members are invited or listed. Indeed, formed and directed by Protestants, it is animated by that spirit which expressly avows for example, that the three Christian communions, Roman Catholic, Greekschismatic, and Anglican, however seperated and divided from one another, nevertheless with equal right claim for themselves the name Catholic. Admission, therefore, into that society is open to all, wheresoever they may live, Catholics, Greek-schismatics, and Anglicans, under this condition however, that no one is permitted to raise a question about the various forms of doctrine in which they disagree, and that it is right for each individual to follow with tranquil soul what is acceptable to his own religious creed. Indeed, the society itself indicates to all its members the prayer to be recited, and to the priests the sacrifices to be celebrated according to its own intention: namely, that the said three Christian communions, inasmuch as they, as it is alleged, together now constitute the Catholic Church, may at some time or other unite to form one body.... 1686 The foundation on which this society rests is of such a nature that it makes the divine establishment of the Church of no consequence. For it is wholly in this: that it supposes the true Church of Jesus Christ to be composed partly of the Roman Church scattered and propogated throughout the whole world, partly, indeed, of the schism of Photius, and of the Anglican heresy, to which, as well as to the Roman Church, "there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism" [cf.Eph 4:5]. Surely nothing should be preferable to a Catholic man than that schisms and dissensions among Christians be torn out by the roots and that all Christians be "careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" [Eph.4:3]....But, that the faithful of Christ and the clergy should pray for unity under the leadership of heretics, and, what is worse, according to an intention, polluted and infected as much as possible with heresy, can in no way be tolerated. The true Church of Jesus Christ was established by divine authority, and is known by a fourfold mark, which we assert in the creed must be believed; and each one of these marks so clings to the others that it cannot be seperated from them; hence it happens that that Church which truly is, and is called Catholic should at the same time shine with the prerogatives of unity, sanctity, and apostolic succession. Therefore, the Catholic Church alone is conspicuous and perfect in the unity of the whole world and of all nations, particularly in that unity whose beginning, root, and unfailing origin are that supreme authority and "higher principality" of Blessed PETER, the prince of the Apostles, and of his successors in the Roman Chair. No other Church is Catholic except the one which, founded on the one PETER, grows into one "body compacted and fitly joined together"[Eph.4:16] in the unity of faith and charity.... Therefore, the faithful should especially shun this London society, because those sympathizing with it favor indifferentism and engender

scandal. From the Decree of the Holy Office, July 8, 1927 2199 Whether it is permitted Catholics to be present at, or take part in conventions, gatherings, meetings, or societies of non-Catholics which aim to associate together under a single agreement all who in any way lay claim to the name of Christian? Reply: In the negative, and there must be complete adherence to the decree (De participatione catholicorum societati, "ad procurandam christianitatis unitatem") on the participation of Catholics in a society "to procure the unity of Christianity." Note: The decree just mentioned in the reply is the Letter of the Sacred Office, September 16, 1864 above (which you probably just read).