Review article
The common gift of Baptism - a field for catholic learning. Ecumenical investigations along ecclesiological linea
Annemarie C. Mayer
; Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies Leuven - Belgien
Abstract
This article asks: What can the churches within the framework
of a mutual recognition of baptism learn from each other
with regard to being church together? An answer is attempted in
three steps. First, a closer look at the so-called Magdeburg Agreement
signed 2007 in Germany is taken in which eleven churches
agreed on a mutual recognition of baptism. (The fact that the Coptic
Orthodox Church in Germany was not among the signatories
has been amended during the recent visit of Pope Francis to
Egypt) The Agreement states a series of ecclesiological implications
of baptism. Therefore, the second step looks at possible areas
of Catholic learning and asks, what exactly is recognized by a
mutual recognition of baptism? Areas of learning are identified in
sacramentology, ecclesiology and the understanding of baptism
itself. What is at stake respectively? Is baptism a sacramental act
of salvation or a merely symbolic act of the human being? If baptism
is only a personal act of confession and commitment, then
the church serves no longer “as a sign and instrument” (LG1) by
which God grants new life in the sacrament. Furthermore, which
ecclesiological requirements and conditions – short of a mutual
recognition as Church in the full sense of the word – have to be
fulfilled for making a recognition of baptism possible? Finally, the
contribution reflects on lifelong learning and Ecumenism of Life, taking into account ecumenical texts like Becoming a Christian:
The Ecumenical Implications of Our Common Baptism. Does the
process character of baptism which moves from the “I believe” of
the person baptized towards the “we believe” of the Church not
open up a path towards a common witness in one united church?
The conclusion suggests that the churches should strive to learn
together to become one Church.
Keywords
Mutual recognition of baptism; “Magdeburg Agreement”; baptismal ecclesiology; “Becoming a Christian”; (not yet) full communion
Hrčak ID:
184649
URI
Publication date:
10.7.2017.
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