Everyone who struggles for justice,
everyone who makes just claims in unjust surroundings
is working for God's reign,
even though not a Christian.
The church does not comprise all of God's reign;
God's reign goes beyond the church's boundaries.
The church values everything that is in tune
with its struggle to set up God's reign.
A church that tries to keep itself
pure and uncontaminated
would not be a church of God's service to people.
The authentic church is one that does not mind
conversing with prostitutes and publicans and sinners
as Christ did —
and with Marxists and those of various political movements —
in order to bring them salvation's true message.