From 4 to 7 November 2024, the Faculty of Theology of the University of Silesia hosted the European scientific conference ‘Christianity in Europe. Questions on unity’. A group of renowned specialists from various European theological centres took part in lectures and discussions. In addition, students held workshops in which they developed their own perspectives on the issues discussed by the experts.
The starting point for the debates was the theme of the Synod of Bishops, which took place in Rome in October. The interlocutors were Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Prof. Myriam Wijlens (University of Erfurt, member of the Coordinating Committee of the Synod of Bishops), Prof. Jerzy Sojka (ChAT Warsaw, member of the Council of the World Lutheran Federation), Bishop Jacek Grzybowski and Bishop Sławomir Oder. In the second part of the day, theologians from academic centres in Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland shared their experiences and reflections on the national stages of the synodal process.
On the second day, Prof. Myriam Wijlens introduced the participants to the legal problems associated with the changes postulated at the synod, while revealing a number of fundamental theological issues underlying the postulated reforms. The continuation of the conference, devoted to its central theme, that is, the unity of Christianity in Europe, should be understood as a discussion of these fundamental issues arising from the Synod. In the following session, Prof. Michael Seewald (University of Münster, Exzellenzcluster ‘Religion und Politik’, permanent fellow Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin) and Prof. Damian Wąsek (Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow) presented for discussion the relevance of certain elements of Christian doctrine to the issue of ecclesial unity. In the afternoon session, Prof. Alexandre Palma (Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon) and Prof. Alberto lo Presti (Lumsa University, Rome) pointed out the socio-historical and political aspects of the pluralisation of Europe and their links to pluralism and unity of Christianity.
The third day began with a discussion of the depth of the link between Christian identity and culture and the consequent implications for understanding the relationship between the actual plurality of Christianity and its claim to unity of faith. Prof. Margit Eckholt (University of Osnabrück) and Prof. Dirk Ansorge (Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology in Frankfurt) introduced the topic with their presentations. The second session was devoted to questions about the responsibility of theology to promote Christian unity. Professor Jean Ehret (Luxembourg School of Religion & Society, Luxembourg) and Dr Alex Villas Boas (Universidade Católica Portuguesa) introduced the inspiring debate with their papers. In the afternoon, an ‘emerging scholars’ session was held.
On the final, fourth day, there was a lively session on the involvement of Christians in supporting European integration. The topic was introduced by Prof. Urszula Pękala (Saarland University, Saarbrücken) and Prof. Jerzy Sojka (ChAT Warsaw). Before concluding the conference, the students presented a comprehensive report on their workshops.
photo Mateusz Raczek