Moralność w dialogu ekumenicznym

Abstract

The ecumenical dialogue that has been conducted so far among Christian denominations seems to have neglected moral issues. The official theological dialogue, carried out in bilateral and multilateral commissions, discusses almost exclusively dogmatic subjects. The need to discuss Christian morality was stressed by John Paul II when he said that ecumenical dialogue ought to include the moral principles of the Gospel and their application in Christian life (cf. Ut unum sint n. 68). Morality is an integral part of God’s Revelation to man. It is necessarily connected with faith and its truths (cf. John Paul II, Veritatis splendor n. 25-27; 89). Thus, ecumenical dialogue, aimed at revealing the whole truth of Revelation, cannot forget its moral content. Only in this way can divided Christians bear true witness to Christ and his Good News. At least two significant documents concerning this subject have appeared in recent years. One was produced by a Joint Working Group of the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church (1995). The other is an agreed statement of Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission Life in Christ. Morals, Communion and the Church (1994). The theological dialogue has to take into consideration not just strictly moral issues. The proper theological understanding of Christian morality depends upon such essential questions like e.g. a relation between Revelation and reason, a theological concept of man (a theological anthropology), an ecclesial dimension of faith and morals etc. There are numerous moral issues, which should be discussed like sources of morality, moral authority, natural morality, Christocentric character of Christian morality, the role of the Holy Spirit in it as well as the differences in many specific norms and opinions. In the context of the contemporary world important problems emerge to which Christians are called to give a common response like for example, a nuclear threat, genetic manipulation, poverty, economic injustice or a threat to the natural environment. Various difficulties, both internal and external, accompany the ecumenical dialogue. Over the long centuries of the divisions among Christians the divergences in understanding the sources of morality have deepened - the Bible, the ongoing teaching of the Church, the Liturgy, moral and pastoral traditions, spiritual discernment and so on. The present-day context of the Christian life and dialogue - secularism, practical atheism, moral relativism etc all conspire to make the dialogue more difficult. The ecumenical dialogue on morals between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church is a good example of what is needed at the threshold of a new millennium. Life in Christ. Morals, Communion and the Church first underlines the common heritage and moral tradition of both communities. It then shows where the divergence occurs, both in fundamental and in specific issues, so outlining the path for further discussions.