Dialog katolicko-prawosławny w świetle nauki Kongresów Welehradzkich 1907-1936

Abstract

One very interesting paragraph in the attempt at dialogue between the Churches of the East and West was the series of seven International Congresses (1907-36) at Velehrad in Moravia (today’s Stare Město in Tschechoslovakia), a place devoted the memory of saints Cyril and Methodius. This article is an attempt to make more accesible some of teaching and experience in the Velehrad movement. The Congresses uncovered large areas of common agreement, among them the Church organisation and governement, the basic meaning of „unity” and „schism”, and the alleged juridicism and overcentralisation of the Roman Church. Over and above the doctrinal area, the Congresses demonstrated clearly the ignorance each Church had in the contemporary theological developments of the other Church, as well as the need for a continued apreciation of the deep historical and psychological roots of present attitudes. The ultimate key to a practical approach to reunion was, of course, to learn about each other’s doctrine, but even more, to learn to love each other as true brothers in Christ.