In summary the main points of this PhD thesis could be listed as follows:
- The Evangelical Church in Germany and the RC Church in Germany after 1965 are compared by an orthodox theologian.
- The structures of the Churches under investigation and the ecclesiastical institutions or coalitions are presented.
- Texts are studied, especially magazine articles and sources, mostly unknown to the orthodox theologians, for a period spreading from just before the Second Vatican Council up to the present.
- The relations of the protestants and the Roman Catholics of Germany are investigated and interpreted through the attitude of the Evangelical Church of Germany towards the encyclicals of the Pope of Rome after the conclusion of the Vatican Council (1965) and thereafter, as well as through the common papers of the bilateral dialogues and the recent ecumenical movement in Germany.
- The recent developments of the ecumenical movement in Germany and the main issues of the discussions.
- The theological areas of conflict or agreement of both sides on the basis of their texts and their general attitude on socio-moral issues.
- The recent developments on the formation of the ecclesiastical scene in Germany.
- The contribution of Orthodoxy in Germany at present and in the future.
- The formation of a consciousness ‘ecumenical movement of the profiles’ and the mitigation of the conviction for the actual unification of the Churches.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Α. Delineation of the research
Β. Research method and structure of the thesis
First Chapter
1. The Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD)
2. The United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD)
3. The German Bishops’ Conference – GBC
4. The Second Vatican Council
5. Post Second Vatican Council Developments
6. The Ecumenical Movement
6.1. The Ecumenical Movement and the Roman Catholic Church
6.2. The Ecumenical Movement and Protestantism
6.3. The Ecumenical Movement in Germany - Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen
6.4. The Ecumenical Movement in the postmodern era
Second Chapter - The Theology, Ecclesiology and Sociology of the Papal Encyclicals
Third Chapter - The attitude of the Evangelical Church in Germany towards the papal encyclicals through the official papers and views of its representatives, commissioners and theologians
1. Encyclicals of Pope Paul VI
1.1. Before the end of the Council
1.2. Following the end of the Council
2. Encyclicals of Pope John Paul II
3. The encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI
Fourth Chapter - The dialogue between the two churches in Germany today
1. Construction Augsburg
2. Construction Germany
3. Developments of the Ecumenical Movement in Germany
4. Towards the formation of the EKD as a ‘communion’
5. The EKD as a ‘Church of freedom’
Conclusions
Objectives and Research Themes
This thesis examines the attitude of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) toward papal encyclicals issued after 1965, specifically investigating the inter-ecclesiastical relations between the EKD and the Roman Catholic Church following the Second Vatican Council. The research addresses the challenges of dialogue between these denominations within the broader context of the Ecumenical Movement and modern secular German society.
- Analysis of EKD’s theological, ecclesiological, and sociological responses to key papal encyclicals since 1965.
- Examination of the structural differences and ongoing dialogue between the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in Germany.
- Evaluation of the impact of the Second Vatican Council on German inter-denominational relations.
- Investigation of the role of ecumenical platforms like the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen (ACK) in fostering cooperation.
- Assessment of current ecumenical challenges, including intercommunion, clerical celibacy, and social ethical issues.
Extract from the Book
The Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD)
The Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD) consists of a community of 22 independent evangelical-protestant Churches, of Lutheran, reformed and united confession. All these are products of the Reformation, which began in Germany in 1517, when in 31 October, Martin Luther composed his 95 theses, which he posted at the entrance of the cathedral church of Wittenberg, and completed in 1648 with the signing of the Westphalian Treaty. The main protagonists of the religious reformation were Martin Luther, John Calvin and Zwingli. All member churches share a limitless ‘pulpit exchange’ as well as ‘eucharistic communion’, despite their denominational differences.
The central offices of the EKD are in Hanover. It supports the Conference of European Churches (CEC/Konferenz europäischer Kirchen-KEK), of which is a member, along with other protestant, Anglican and orthodox churches. It is also a member of the Consortium of Christian Churches (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen-ACK), while all its members participate at the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (Gemeinschaft Evangelischer Kirchen in Europa-GEKE) and the World Council of Churches-WCC.
EKD was founded at 1945 and acquired legal status at 1948. When the EKD was established, all 22 Church – members were incorporated under an institutional framework. Organization and structure at all levels follows the German federal political system. The governing bodies of EKD, which are elected democratically, are the Synod, the Council and the Church Conference. These three higher bodies are accountable for all responsibilities and services that are provided for at the ecclesiastical constitution, namely the principal rule, of EKD. The responsibility and the coordination of the proceedings of the Synod, the Council and the Church Conference, are undertaken by the Church administrative office.
Summary of Chapters
First Chapter: Provides an overview of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD), the German Bishops' Conference, the Second Vatican Council, and the history and current state of the Ecumenical Movement.
Second Chapter - The Theology, Ecclesiology and Sociology of the Papal Encyclicals: Explores the theological, ecclesiological, and sociological dimensions of the papal encyclicals studied in the thesis, presenting them within the context of papal teachings rather than as isolated documents.
Third Chapter - The attitude of the Evangelical Church in Germany towards the papal encyclicals through the official papers and views of its representatives, commissioners and theologians: Analyzes the EKD's responses to encyclicals from Pope Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, highlighting official positions, debates, and reactions within the German Protestant landscape.
Fourth Chapter - The dialogue between the two churches in Germany today: Uses case studies—specifically major ecumenical meetings in Germany—to compare the milestones of the common Christian path and interpret the current inter-denominational reality.
Keywords
EKD, Roman Catholic Church, Papal Encyclicals, Ecumenism, Second Vatican Council, Protestantism, VELKD, German Bishops’ Conference, Intercommunion, Theology, Justification, Dialogue, Christian Unity, Secularization, Ethics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research explores the critical perspective of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) toward Roman Catholic papal encyclicals issued after 1965, and how these documents influence inter-denominational relations.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include theological, ecclesiological, and sociological interactions between Protestant and Roman Catholic churches, the impact of the Second Vatican Council, and the challenges of ecumenical dialogue in modern Germany.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to analyze how the German Protestant world responds to Roman Catholic dogmatic and moral teachings in the form of encyclicals and to understand the broader state of current ecumenical relations.
Which methodology is employed in this thesis?
The work primarily uses historical writing and analysis, combined with a presentation of the structures of the involved churches, relying on a wide range of primary sources, archival documents, and secondary academic literature.
What is covered in the main section of the work?
The main section investigates the reactions of the EKD and various German Protestant theologians to specific encyclicals from Pope Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, while also exploring broader sociological dimensions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include EKD, Roman Catholic Church, Papal Encyclicals, Ecumenism, Theology, Intercommunion, and Christian Unity.
How does the author view the 'Ecumene of profiles'?
The author highlights that the ecumenical movement in Germany has shifted from seeking total unanimity to an 'ecumene of profiles,' where individual differences are respected, even while the search for new contexts of collaboration continues.
What role does the EKD play regarding the German state?
The EKD views itself as a 'Church of freedom' and engages in critical dialogue with the state, particularly concerning moral and ethical foundations, without claiming direct political eligibility.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. Christos-Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos (Autor:in), 2012, The attitude of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) towards the Papal Encyclicals after the year 1965. Its relations with the Roman Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council., München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/231947
