Ecumenical formation for teachers of religion in the academic discourse of Polish catechists

Anna Zellma

Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie, Wydział Teologii
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3612-3454

Abstract

Ecumenical formation is one of major areas of holistic and permanent formation for teachers of religion. This paper emphasizes the presence of this issue in the academic discourse of Polish catechists. A preliminary evaluation of research achievements to date has been made and directions for further studies have been indicated.
Based on the analyses of studies conducted so far, it was observed that both catechists and ecumenists occasionally attempt to define ecumenical formation for teachers of religion. Three basic dimensions of ecumenical formation are considered important, namely: “to be”, “to know” and “to know how to act”. The roles of various activities undertaken under the basic (preliminary) formation and the permanent formation are assessed. The contribution of Jerzy Kostorz, who was the first to analyse various aspects of ecumenically-oriented catechesis, is here of particular importance.
Since researchers sporadically write about current problems related to ecumenical formation for teachers of religion, the article presents current and important issues which have not yet received the due attention of Polish catechists. The problems presented in the article include, among others, the need for teachers of religion to improve in areas related to the subject matter as well as in methodology and organizational issues, with particular emphasis on socio-cultural and religious challenges and new curriculum documents concerning religious education in Polish schools.

Keywords:

catechesis, ecumenism, ecumenical formation, teacher of religion, catechetics