Course Description
[This is one course, which is divided into two parts, each part lasting 6 weeks long]
Ecumenism part (the first 6 weeks of the semester): in the framework of the Epistemology of Dialogue in its fundamental anthropological dimension, the course will survey the historical developments and the key theological concepts of Ecumenism.
World Religions part (last 6 weeks of the semester): We will examine Catholic attitudes to the world religions at the Second Vatican Council and examine a number of mportant Catholic theologians on this question. Questions of relativism, truth claims, and the nature of Christ and the Church are central concerns.
[NOTE: If you already have done the course in Ecumenism you need to do only the World Religions part. Conversely if you have already taken the course on World Religions, you only need to do the Ecumenism part.]
Bibliography
Ecumenism part:
VATICAN COUNCIL II, Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio.
JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter Ut Unum Sint.
BENEDICT XVI, Homily for the Mass of Inauguration of the Pontificate.
FRANCIS, Apostolic Exortation Evangelii Gaudium, nn.244-246.
ID., Encyclical Letter Fratres Omnes, nn.277-280.
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY, Directory for the Application of the Norms and Principles on Ecumenism.
ID. The Bishop and Christian Unity: An Ecumenical Vademecum.
A Specific Bibliography (documents and essays) will be provided during the course.
World Religions part:
GAVIN D’COSTA, The Catholic Church and the World Religions. A Theological and Phenomenological Account, Continuum, London, 2011.
GAVIN D’COSTA, Vatican II: Doctrines on Jews and Muslims, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2014. Eds.
K J BECKER & I MORALLI (and G D’COSTA & M BOORMANS), Catholic Engagement with World Religions, Orbis, New York, 2010.