Memoria sanctorum. Guntera Wenza rozumienie czci świętych

Abstract

Gunter Wenz, a student of Wolfhart Pannenberg and lecturer in Systematic Theology at the Faculty of Protestant Theology of the University of Munich, and involved in Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue in Germany, is developing a Protestant theology of saints. He approaches the question in three ways, each described in one section of this article. Initially, Wenz analyses anthropological aspects of the question; then he considers ecclesiological approaches, and finally – the most problematic area – he discusses the possibility of their being theological grounds for the invocation of saints. Wenz’s anthropological thought is based on interpretation of article XXI of the Augsburg Confession and the Apology for the Augsburg Confession. Memoria sanctorum, he argues, is rooted in giving thanks to God for saints; in the confirmation of our faith through the way that grace works in them; and in the imitation of saints, especially their faith. The ecclesiological dimension of the communio sanctorum stems from the original meaning of this phrase in the creed understood as a confession of faith in the Church understood as a communion of saints. Here the accent is put on the action of grace through the Word and sacrament which gather all believers. Memoria sanctorum is therefore connected with “the anamnesis of death of Christ” as the Apology for the Augsburg Confession calls the Lord’s Supper. Wenz can agree with Roman Catholic theology on some points (e.g. in his assertion that prayer for the dead is not based in questionable theology). However, in other areas he remains sceptical. For Wenz the question of the invocation of saints is the most difficult. The foundation for further ecumenical work in this area is common faith in intercession of saints and angels. Problems arise in relation to Catholic ideas about the merit of saints merits, indulgences and the treasury of grace. Wenz is aware of the critical positions taken concerning this matter in Lutheran confessional statements such as the Book of Concord and in later Lutheran theology. However, he also highlights the need for a more precise explanation of the idea of the “invocation of saints” (from Latin invocation in the field of Roman-Catholic theology.