Rola francuskich teologów w intelektualnej formacji Karola Wojtyły

Abstract

The article The Role of French Theologians in Karol Wojtyla’s Intellectual Forma­tion shows the influence of French Catholicism in the intellectual and pastoral formation of Karol Wojtyła and in his understanding of the Church’s mission in the contemporary world and of the significance of the Second Vatican Council. Studying in Rome, he knew the theological debate which developed in the Church at that time. Mainly French theologians were involved in the polemic, especially Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange who was the director of Wojtyla’s doctorate. For the young priest from Cracow the most important issue was a reaction to the process of secularization. The tension between the conservatives and the progressives accompanied the polemics which continued in the post-war time and during and after Vatican II. Wojtyła was interested in finding the substantive answer for the question of man’s salvation in today’s society. In a knowledgeable way he benefitted from reflections developed by both sides of the intellectual dispute in the Church and formulated his own theological and pastoral synthesis, faithful to the Catholic Tradition and able to respond to the new challenge of the contemporary world.