Abstract

The relationship between Sacred Scripture and sacred Tradition is one of the areas that Pope John Paul II indicated in the encyclical Ut unum sint as being in need of fuller study in the ecumenical dialogue. The studies carried out during Vatican II with the aid and reflection of theologians and the preparation of alternative proposals, both official and unofficial, helped to change the whole approach, thus paving the way for the doctrinal Constitution on Divine Revelation. An essential component of this approach is the introduction to the first chapter on Revelation. It introduced a qualitative rather than quantitative approach to the relationship between Scripture and Tradition. Moreover, when these are both linked to the one and only source, Revelation, Tradition is mostly presented as a vibrant and dynamic process guided by the Spirit, necessary for the conservation of the Gospel. This vision, in consonance with the reflection that was being made on the theme by the ecumenical movement during the years of the Council, has contributed to an opening up of dialogue that aims for consensus in areas that have divided Christian Churches for so long.