Ekumenizm na rozdrożu. Refleksje nad dokumentem „Ku wspólnemu rozumieniu i wizji Światowej Rady Kościołów”

Abstract

The new millennium and 50th anniversary of the World Council of Churches create a special space for thinking about ecumenism and the place of the WCC in it. The WCC prepared a policy document Towards a Common Understanding and Vision of the World Council of Churches to examine its self-understanding and to create the vision of the whole ecumenical movement. The authoress, following the WCC, asks many questions with reference to the present ecumenical situation: What do the churches today see as the present status of the one ecumenical movement and its future? How “one” is it? What are the visions or images that are functionally alive in the member churches when one says “ecumenism”? Are the visions and images the same in non-member churches? What is the basis for a “common calling” of the churches and their members to a “common vision”, and how “common” is it? Who is excluded? Is the WCC the natural framework and context of witness in fellowship for the member churches? If not, why not? The document wants to serve as an “ecumenical charter” for the 21st century but it does not speak in precise words about the vision of unity among Christians and about the ways to that unity. In opinion of the authoress this lack in the document makes it useless for contemporary ecumenism. The WCC will discuss this document during the 8th General Assembly in Harare (December 3-14, 1998). If she finds enough time and energy to fill the document with lacking ideas, it could really be an “ecumenical charter” for all Christians.