Summaries of Published Articles

Summaries of Published Articles

Theological Studies – Białystok – Drohiczyn – Łomża 29/2011

Rev. C. Naumowicz

The Church in the Eschatological Dynamism of Salvation

SUMMARY

The Church is the birthplace of Christian hope, because in the history of salvation hope comes to birth in a social context. An important incentive for the deepening of our understanding of the interaction between ecclesiology and eschatology is found in the documents of the Second Vatican Council (especially chapter 7 of Lumen gentium: „The Eschatological Nature of the Pilgrim Church and its Union with the Church in Heaven”). In contemporary theological reflection ecclesiology articulates in an incarnational way the radical relationship of the Church with the eschatological Kingdom of God. Between the Church and the Kingdom there is a dialectical continuity in discontinuity. And in eschatology, the issues of death, purgatory, parousia and resurrection emphasize the ecclesial dimension. The eschatological fate of the individual is part of the eschatological destiny of the Church, as she journeys towards her fulfillment.

Rev. P. Artemiuk

Tomas Halik’s Thoughts on the Church

SUMMARY

In this article I present the ecclesiological thought of the Czech philosopher Tomas Halik (born 1948). He belongs to the intellectuals of our time, who, belonging to the Church, are aware of their own identity that flows from a deep understanding of Tradition. At the same time, they remain open to the dialogue with the modern world. The dialogic attitude becomes a kind of teaching imperative, which also determines Halik’s thinking about the Church. Ekklesia itself, which the Czech thinker loves above all, is both love and cross for him. Halik’s scientific, journalistic and pastoral activity as well, is devoted to creating a space for those who have not settled in and probably will never completely feel at home in church pews and church definitions. He believes that such people can also be rooted in the community of the Church and find their own way. His mind is full of ecclesiological concern about the doubtful and makes the Church open to all who do not fully share his faith. According to the Czech thinker, it is the modern Zacchaeus and those entering the “Court of the Gentiles” who resemble the “mysterious wanderers” that may reveal the unknown face of Christ to the Church. T. Halik as a Catholic priest and thinker feels responsible for the Tradition. He wants to turn to those standing outside the Church, at the same time, constantly emphasizing the catholicity of the Church. He hopes that, in this way, “inner reconciliation of the diversity of the Church” can be achieved, which will be an opportunity to reach people far from the Church.

Rev. M. Skierkowski

From Apostles to Bishops – Three Paths

SUMMARY

The author of this text traces the development of the ministry of leadership in the early Church, beginning from Jesus and the Apostles to the fully developed episcopate in the writings of St. Irenaeus. There are three paths of this development: the path of Jerusalem, the path of Antioch and the path of Rome. The first one is connected with the authority of James (brother of the Lord), the second one is connected with the authority of Paul and the third – with the authority of Peter.

Rev. M.Ozorowski

The Identityand Ministry of aBishopin the Teachingof Bl.JohnPaul II

SUMMARY

In the article, the author referring to theteaching ofJohnPaul II shows the vocation,identityand mission ofbishopsin the Church. Episcopal vocation stems from the will ofChrist the GoodShepherd.The source of thisvocation and mission is to bederived from themysteryof the Holy Trinity. Care for the unity in the diocesan Churchand connection with the universal Church, which expresses thecollegial character of theepiscopal ministry – belong to the fundamental tasks of a bishop. Other tasks of a bishop are: preaching theword of God, concern for the sanctificationand guidance of the People of God. This in turnreflects thethreefoldmissionof Christ: Prophet, Priest and King.

Rev. S. Łupiński

Pope John Paul II – The Great Legislator of the Church

SUMMARY

Two Codes of Canon Law were established by Blessed John Paul II: the first one is for the Roman rite, and the second – for the Oriental rite. Pope John Paul II met the employees of the Roman Rota at the beginning of each new calendar year. The speeches he made on these occasions have been valuable from a legal standpoint. In the year of the Great Jubilee 2000 he issued decrees concerning indulgences. During his pontificate, John Paul II canonized and beatified a large number of people. The canonizations and beatifications were always preceded by canonical processes. He reorganized and created new Church structures in Poland and in other countries and signed many international agreements in the form of concordats. It was also John Paul II, who called meetings of the Synod of Bishops and frequently published encyclicals, referring to important questions of the Church and of the social life. His work stands as a testimony to him and bids us to call him Pope John Paul II the Great.

Rev. A. Proniewski

The Priest in Communion with God

SUMMARY

Even though the postmodern epoch attempted the removal of God from individual and social life, it did not ultimately do away with the person’s relationship with God. New circumstances brought the challenge to work on the criteria of communion with God not only for the laity, but for priests also. The reference to the synthesis of the circumstances of communion with God recorded by Saint Luke gave the foundation for a larger reflection on the communion of priests with God. The priest as a witness of Christ in the world is invited to communion with God through remaining in the teaching of the Apostles (1), in community (2), participation in the breaking of bread (3) and in prayer (4).

Rev. W. Turowski

Ecclesia creata in the Liturgy of the Church

SUMMARY

The Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI Verbum Domini is the fruit of the XII General Synod of Bishops, held in Rome in 2008. The Pope in his document, making an analysis and a synthesis of the role of the Word (Logos), in relation to the human being and the world, says: Ecclesia creatura Verbi. This article is an attempt to extend this theme in the direction of the thesis: Ecclesia creata per Verbum. The field of research was confined to the liturgy of the Mass, in which the word, through its communicational and sacramental function and its close bond with the sacramental sign, through the power of the Holy Spirit, builds faith. This building requires the consciousness of the fact that the Holy Spirit continues the work of redemption, and the openness to this action of the Spirit. This requires a personal commitment to the listening to the Word of God and receiving Him in the Eucharist. Each listening to the word of God in the liturgy builds the faith of the listener, and thus builds the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church.

Rev. M.Kluz

Making the Church the Home and School of Communion according to the Model of Mary as the Moral Dutyof Christians

SUMMARY

John Paul II wrote in the apostolic exhortation Novo MillennioIneunte that we “make the Church the homeandschool of communion”. The author in his article compares this papal summons with Mary, who for the Church is a model of building communion.The article isa presentation ofpost-conciliar Mariology, where the Mother of the Lordis presentin the mysteriesof Christand the Church. The moral dutyof Christiansis, following the example of Mary, service in the Church,involving the undertaking of various tasks for the building of the civilizationof love, wheremotherhood is a special vocation.

Rev. M. Brzeziński

The Family as a Community of Evangelization and Service

SUMMARY

This article is about the family and its two substantial dimensions: its mission of evangelization and service. The task of transmitting one’s faith is the task of all believers, clergy and laity. In particular it is the task of families, the first teachers and witnesses of faith for their children. A family, in order to be a community of evangelization, must be evangelized, it must hear the Good News about salvation. Through learning the truth about God’s love for man, shown to the fullest extent by Jesus Christ, who chose to show the world His love by being born in a family – families also learn “family evangelization”. Families learn the Gospel truth about the family and try to live according to it through service for the Gospel and service towards people. A family actualizes its evangelical mission first among its members and then towards other families. The family mission of service expresses itself foremost in the service of life and love, and also through service towards other people. Serving others, the family serves itself, the Church community, and the society in which it lives and develops. At the same time, the family itself develops and serves the development of society.

Rev. A. Skreczko

The Family in Communion with God

SUMMARY

The care for the shape of today’s Christian family life leads to the question: What truths should be taught about the idea of communion within marriage and family to build a solid foundation of these relationships? The Polish Bishops’ Message for the Feast of the Holy Family (December 26, 2010) reflects their care for these problems. The aim of the article is to discuss the main issues of the message, which are the creating of the marital and family communion founded upon God.

Rev. J. Kotowski

The Issue of Permanent Catechesis in the Documents of the Church and in Catechetical Reflection

SUMMARY

Catechesis that accompanies the believer throughout his life has received different names and various aspects and dimensions have been underlined. One can highlight some of the terms that are synonyms of catechesis: religious teaching, Christian doctrine, catechism, religious formation, education in the faith, transmission of the faith, etc. Each of the mentioned terms emphasizes a particular aspect of the Church's catechetical work. In this paper, the author stops at the issue of permanent catechesis (we can also call it: constant catechesis). This issue, however, seems quite problematic. The concept of a permanent catechesis is an indispensable instrument for growth in the faith and for its maturing, an instrument of which one cannot resign. Maturity in the faith cannot constitute a certain stage to be achieved, because going deeper and deeper into the mystery of the faith one discovers areas that need to constantly be acquired, new phases of growth in the faith. In this perspective, catechesis should accompany the believer throughout the whole of his life.

Rev. Wojciech Nowacki, S. Maria Grzyb

The Moon Sect as a Challenge to the Catholic Church

SUMMARY

The Catholic Church rejects the doctrinal assumptions of the Moon sect, which assumptions significantly distort the truth of the Gospel. The clearly un-Christian nature of the Moon sect also excludes the possibility of ecumenical dialogue. The expansion of the sect and the methods used by it for recruitment and indoctrination demand from the Church a continuous search for new solutions. The phenomenon of sects, among which the Moon sect, is a challenge for the Church and also a special occasion to become ever more an authentic community of faith and love. In this context, it becomes truly urgent to take up the task of the new evangelization ad intra and ad extra, and the exercising of a constant concern for the quality of Christian life in the communities of the Church. This is a task for the whole Church, with particular reference to the great importance and the need to involve the laity in this work. As Pope John Paul II teaches, only a new evangelization can give the flourishing of a pure and deep faith, ready to give these traditions power leading to true freedom and true love. An important impetus to achieving this goal is the creation by Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2010, of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization. Confrontation with the Moon sect mobilizes members of the Catholic Church to intensify efforts towards a more readable portrait of the Church for what it is in its deepest essence and to oppose all that can distort and obscure this truth.

Rev. D. Tułowiecki

Initiation or Parting with the Church? Opinions of Gymnasium Students of Piątnica about the Sacrament of Confirmation – a Sociological Study

SUMMARY

Confirmation is referred to as the sacrament of Christian initiation. But it happens that after receiving this sacrament, a certain number of people experience a decrease in religious-life activity and a departure from the Church community. Thus the sacrament of Confirmation is sometimes called the sacrament of parting with the Church. In order that such a “farewell” not take place in the Diocese of Łomża – certain initiatives have been taken up, which have as their aim the deepening of the faith at the moment of preparation for Confirmation. The article contains the results of empirical studies carried out among teenagers living in villages and attending school in Piątnica, that received the sacrament of Confirmation in 2010. Indicated in the text are the elements most effectively influencing their religious life and those that require

additional precision.

Małgorzata Małyszko

IN COMMUNION WITH GOD? RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES OF WOMEN IN THE NOVELS OF ELIZA ORZESZKOWA

SUMMARY

The article describes religious attitudes of female characters in the novels of Eliza Orzeszkowa. The majority of them do not have a genuine faith and are not guided by the Ten Commandments. Paradoxically, these are the heroines who talk about God the most and surround themselves with religious symbols. Really devout female characters do not make a great show of their piety, they do good quietly, not ostentatiously. Their understanding of the teaching of Jesus Christ is followed by positivist work on the development of oneself and the nearest surrounding; while the ostensibly devout heroines are deeply stuck in class prejudice.

Rev. A. Najda

From Justice to Mercy – Theological Perspective of the Narrative about the Flood

SUMMARY

The narrative about the flood expresses the truth about God’s profound interest about the fate of people and His activity in the history of human beings. The didactic expression of this narration is essential. The terrifying verdict of God is testimony to how sin is a great evil. The flood as a punishment from God is a warning not to sin. The flood did not wash away neither the reasons for sin, nor its consequences. But God’s blessing accompanies man both before and after the flood. The task of the biblical narrative is to show God’s justice and holiness and at the same time: teaching that God is the One who rules and guides the world maintaining it in existence.

Rev. Dariusz Adamczyk

From Justice to Mercy –

Theological Persp ective of the Narrative about the Flood

SUMMARY

The narrative about the flood expresses the truth about the God’s profound interest about the fate of people and His activity in the history of human beings. The didactic expression of this narration is essential. The terrifying verdict of God is testimony to how sin is a great evil. The flood as a punishment from God is a warning not to sin. The flood did not wash away neither the reasons for sin, nor its consequences. But God’s blessing accompanies man both before and after the flood. The task of the biblical narrative is to show God’s justice and holiness and at the same time: teaching that God is the One who rules and guides the world maintaining it in existence.

Rev. Katarzyna Sztok

The Impact of the Bible on the Life and Work of Stefan Żeromski

SUMMARY

The article concerns the impact of the Bibleon the life and work of Stefan Żeromski, who lived at the time of ideological transformation. Among the various literary sources that inspire Polish artists at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the Bibleholds a special place. It was a source of inspiration for Stefan Żeromski. Throughout his life Żeromski yearns for the sacrum, so he looks for it. The writer lived in an era, in which educated people were not supposed to pronounce the name of God. The whole work of the writer seems to be a “struggle with Satan”. His personal experience had an impact on what his literary characters experienced. In the books of S. Żeromski one can find many biblical accents, which are the result of an in-depth personal reading and study of the Bible. Żeromski was interested in the Biblethanks to Fr. Czerwiński, who was a catechist in the writer’s school in Kielce. Important was also his faith, which he received, brought up in his family home. Stefan Żeromski never managed to control the chaos of inner life. His world was a world of religious anxiety and constant searching for answers to religious questions troubling him. This world was a reality, in spite of appearances, where the presence of sacrum is discernible on the various levels of the organization of his literary work.