Contribution of Saint John Paul II into interreligious dialogue in the perspective of the conciliar theology, especially of the Declaration Nostra aetate. On the 100th anniversary of the birth of Karol Wojtyła (1920-2005)

Zbigniew Kubacki

Papieski Wydział Teologiczny w Warszawie - Collegium Bobolanum
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3574-7246

Abstract

In the context of the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Karol Wojtyła the Author attempts to assess his contribution to the evangelizing mission of the Church in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council regarding interreligious dialogue. The thesis and, at the same time, the starting point of the article is the belief that the teaching of the Declaration Nostra aetatewas an inspiration for the genuine commitment of the Polish Pope to interreligious dialogue with its goal to build peace and justice in the world, in which world religions should play a significant role. The Author justifies his thesis by referring to the papal teaching contained in the encyclical letter Redemptoris missio as well as in his numerous declarations, homilies and speeches to the representatives of Judaism, Islam and Eastern religions. Contrary to some critics who believe that by his teaching and behavior John Paull II broke with the Tradition of the Church, the Author argues that, being inspired by the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, the Pope continued it creatively.

Keywords:

John Paul II, Nostra aetate, interreligious dialogue, Tradition of the Church