ABSTRACT
First, catholicity in time: A theologian is Catholic if he is aware of being united with the whole Church – that is, with the Church of all times. He will therefore not describe from the outset certain centuries as ‘un-Christian’ or ‘unevangelical’. He is sure that in every century there was a community of believers who listened to the gospel of Jesus Christ and tried in one way or other, so far as it is possible for human beings in their frailty and fallibility, to live according to his example.
