Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.31337/oz.80.2.1
The Philosopher Stjepan Zimmermann on the Catholic Church
Ivan Macut
orcid.org/0000-0001-8343-8902
; Institut za filozofiju, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
This paper analyses the reflections on the Catholic Church of Stjepan Zimmermann, a Croatian philosopher. The Catholic Church can be viewed from two perspectives, namely, from within and from without. In studying his published philosophical works, we can see that Zimmermann, who is a Catholic priest, observes the Churchfrom an intra–ecclesiastical perspective by using two distinct approaches: theologicaland social. Zimmermann begins by establishing the fundamental premise that JesusChrist is the founder of the Church and also the Son of God. The mission of theChurch is to facilitate a connection between humanity and the divine, and to elucidatethe divine will and the divine law for humanity. Moreover, the Church proclaimsthe supernatural significance of life and exhorts humanity to adhere to moral principles, given that the ultimate destiny of humankind transcends the confines of thisworld and extends to the celestial realm. The second part of the paper examines thesocial implications of Zimmermann’s discourse on the Catholic Church. He analysesthe relationship between the Church and those in federal government positions. He puts forth the argument that regardless of whether those in positions of authority adhere to a particular religion or not, the state is bound by its obligation to provide forthe spiritual and religious needs of its citizens. This is particularly pertinent for thosewho adhere to Christianity. Zimmermann is convinced that the Church, through itsleaders, and especially through the teaching mission at the head of which is the Pope, is successfully fulfilling its calling of disseminating and elucidating the fundamentaltenets and postulates of Christian social teaching. The issue arises when individuals,in their own way and due to their own interests, restrict the teachings of the Churchto a single group in society or support those who are morally worse, yet do not presentChristian teachings because they perceive these persons as their own or, alternatively,they themselves belong to the said group. Zimmermann is convinced that the CatholicChurch can provide people with a path towards a brighter future. He believes that the Church can do this by teaching its members the fundamental truths of faith andmorality and encouraging them to live by these teachings. The conclusion of thisresearch is that the theological and social perspectives presented by Zimmermann inhis texts on the Catholic Church are interrelated.
Ključne riječi
Stjepan Zimmermann; Jesus Christ; Catholic Church; society; social teaching of the Church; state
Hrčak ID:
329966
URI
Datum izdavanja:
9.4.2025.
Posjeta: 0 *