Abstract

In the documents of the Second Vatican Council a deliberated exact expression is found that seeks to affirm the unity and singularity of the Church while respecting the elements of truth and sanctification found in every Christian confession: the Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church. The goal of this inquiry is to consider the clarifications intended by the expression subsistit in, including its theological and philosophical meaning. It considers: the conciliar process of formulating the expression; its post-Conciliar reception; ulterior Magisterial clarifications regarding its interpretation; its theological contribution to understanding the relationship between Christian confessions, Church unity, and Church catholicity; and it’s suitability for ecumenical dialogue at the theological level.