Tolstoy's prediction

* While I wholeheartedly support John L. Allen Jr. (NCR, Dec. 28) in his call for a more reasonable standard for judging the success of the ecumenical movement, I think we deceive ourselves if we assume that the times of schismatic division in the Catholic church are behind us. To focus only on healing the existing breaches with Protestant denominations is to ignore the brewing storms both within the U.S. church and between American Catholics and Rome. The growing cleavage between these factions increases the likelihood the faithful may again attempt to take back its church. We have begun to see signs that this day is drawing nearer.

In The Kingdom of God is Within You, Leo Tolstoy predicted a coming time of Christian public opinion as the eradicator of the need for ecclesiastical and governmental rule. The inevitable discovery and acceptance by all peoples and religions that violence only begets violence will expose the insidious link between violence and all the governments and religious institutions that depend upon the military for their continued existence. On that day the ecumenical standard of success will be defined as the living practice of Christ's message among all people of good will, regardless of their belief or non-belief.

G. JAMES BLATT JR.

Pittsford, N.Y.

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