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This article examines the decline of religion and community in contemporary societies, focusing on Poland. It explores the concept of a post-secular age and the role of rituals in maintaining community. The author argues that secularization can lead to self-centeredness and narcissism in consumer societies. The article also discusses the impact of globalization on culture and identity. It highlights the connection between religion and Polish society, particularly through the influence of Pope John Paul II. The author emphasizes the role of John Paul II in fostering community and solidarity, and suggests that his legacy can inspire people in challenging times. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Ethos (0860-8024) is the property of John Paul II Institute, Faculty of Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this article is to present the role of Pope John Paul II in the overthrow of the Communist system in Central Europe based primarily on the scientific literature on the subject and the published documents. The author's attention is focused, for obvious reasons, on Poland, as well as on neighbouring countries with a significant number of Catholics within their borders: Czechoslovakia, Hungary and the Republic of Lithuania within the Soviet Union. John Paul II's visit to the People's Republic of Poland on 2-10 June 1979 went down in history as "nine days that changed the world". The pilgrimage was the catalyst for changes in social awareness in Poland, leading to the creation of Solidarity in 1980. In the following years, the pope sustained the spirit of resistance in Polish society during the harsh period of martial law and beyond. Under his inspiration, the church played a mediating role in the 1989 Round Table talks between the authorities and the opposition. The election of Karol WojtyÅ,a, a cardinal from a neighbouring country, and the subsequent activities of the new pope had a profound impact on the revival of the religious life of Catholics in Czechoslovakia and Lithuania. Breaking the barrier of fear resulted in more substantial involvement of Catholics in opposition activities. The revival of the Church in Hungary was less successful, but the personality and teaching of John Paul II encouraged Catholics in that country, too, in opposition activities against the Communist regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HROMJÁK, Ľuboslav. The Contribution of Pope John Paul II for the Slavs in the Modern History of the Cyrilo-Methodian Cult. In this study, the author, based on the historical context of Cyrilo-Methodism in the 19th and 20th centuries, highlights the importance of Pope John Paul II for the Slavs and its importance in consolidating Cyrilo-Methodism in modern history through the publication of the papal letter Egregiae virtutis and the encyclical Slavorum apostoli. Great emphasis is placed on the contribution of John Paul II for the Slavic world by the declaration of Sts. Cyril and Methodius as patrons of Europe. Pope John Paul II contextualizes the Catholic Slavism of Leo XIII as its successor in the 20th century. By the declaration of Sts. Cyril and Methodius as patrons of Europe, according to the author, the Pope pursued two intentions: ecumenical and civilizing. He presented Sts. Cyril and Methodius in the context of Catholic Slavism as a civilizational and ecumenical bridge between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. John Paul II as the only Slavic pope on Peter's throne, he was the only one who could highlight the example of Sts. Cyril and Methodius for Western Europe, in search of Europe's spiritual roots. In this study, the author also points out the importance of the apostolic letter in the Slovak Catholic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research overviews of and historiography on the attitude of the Catholic Church and theologians towards athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities assume that the Church and theologians have only very recently begun to interest themselves in this subject. Starting from John Paul II's contribution to this field, and above all from his integral anthropological vision, this article assesses his position by comparing it with that of his two successors Benedict XVI and Francis. Especially the latter's addresses and interviews and the official documents on sport issued by the Holy See during his pontificate are testimony to his special commitment to athletes with disabilities. The article also examines the history of the Holy See and studies its attention to athletes with a disability. The results of this inquiry are that papal interest in this field is not limited to, nor did it start with the pontificate of John Paul II. Instead, it dates from the very beginning of the modern phenomenon of sport, with Pope Pius X at the beginning of the 20th century, continued by Pius XII and John XXIII. The latter's speech to the participants of the first Paralympic Games in 1960 is the strongest indication of a pre-John Paul II affirmation of disabled sport. This points to the importance of taking a more nuanced position in the current debate, although it is clear that Pope Francis must be considered the champion of the Holy See's commitment to the inclusion of athletes with a disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the inner dimensions of truth by investigating Jewish-Christian Scriptures, Doctors of the Church (Augustine, Aquinas, and Bonaventure), and Pontiffs (John Paul II and Benedict XVI). Through phenomenological and dialogic thinking, the inner dimension of truth is surfaced as personal and interior enlightenment and divine revelation (Scriptures), as dialogical communications (Benedict XVI), as God's grace bestowing perpetual liberation (Augustine and John Paul II) as the realization that man is a manifestation of God (Aquinas), as action (Scriptures and Bonaventure) as reciprocal acts of love, justice, and the promotion of the common good (Scriptures and Benedict XVI). These inner dynamics serve as a framework of Catholic education, teaching the notion of truth according to its faith and mission, establishing a Divine - human relatedness and an initiation process. Truth is bestowed, and humans are encouraged to accept and present themselves to Truth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents an understanding of crisis communication in the Church, especially the theological and pastoral method, considering the teachings of Popes John Paul II and Francis, as well as based on the research and experience of foreign theologians. The Church is also potentially a victim of critical issues, especially in times of war, which is why the author will try to deepen the relationship between ecclesiastical institutions and their influence on the worldview of the faithful, underlining communication aspects and relationships with the mass media. Undoubtedly the absolute prerogative of the Church is the announcement of the Good News and the Truth. The rejection of communication and responsibility is not only an escape from real threats, but also a rejection of people who seek God through the voice of the Church. Therefore, the study of crisis communication in the Church, considering social communication and the challenges of war, ethical relativism, the mass media's distorted vision of the Church: this is the task of ecclesiastical educational institutions in the modern world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When reflecting on the relationship between the Catholic Church and the modern world in the second half of the 20th century, it is impossible to overlook the radical shift brought about by John Paul II. As Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde points out, the saintly Pope opened a "new dimension of the Church's influence on the world". The essence of this novelty was John Paul II's perception of the Church's task as being defined "centrally and exclusively from the perspective of its salvation mission". The above thesis seems proven regarding Holy See diplomacy. The most prominent example of a "new approach" was the decision taken by John Paul II to put aside Ostpolitik, dominant since the t ime of John XXIII. Nonetheless, the question arises regarding a change in the social teaching of the Church under St. John Paul II, for ultimately, political praxis is always rooted in some theory. In the case of the Church, the theoretical foundation of the Church's socio-political activity and its relation to modern world is Catholic social doctrine. The presented article examines the meaning of the teaching of St. John Paul II for the nature, method, and goals of the social teaching of the Church. If Böckenförde is right when writing about the political novelty of the Polish Pope's pontificate, also in this field, despite numerous references to his predecessors, the position of John Paul II should be associated with a significant novum. The article is devoted to discussing this thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this short essay Author deals with the experience of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary after the year 1945. In the introduction one finds a synthesis of the years after the WWI, and the sketch of the consequencies of the WWII. The statistics of the faithful are to be find in the years 1949 and 2001, the changed diocese' border and the administration of the dioceses after the changeing and shrumping state borders. In the lack of Concordate, after the regime of „Apostolic King", the appointment of the bishops by the Pope happened according to the both „intesa semplice"s of 1927 and 1964. The communist take over changed the religious landscape, the Catholic Church was on the defeat of human rights until Cardinal Mindszenty was in office in the years 1945 - 1948. The Communists secularized the Scholar System which was 50 % Catholic (see table). Between the years 1948 and 1986 the number of youth catechized was shrunken onto 5 - 7 %. Religious order were closed and the members were persecuted (see table). Some of them, as Norbertines (California), Benedictines (California, Brazil, Bavaria), Cistercians (Texas), Franciscans and Piarists (USA) could establish some foundations in the West. Catholic press was suppressed and only some press was tolerated in vigilated liberty (see table). There ist a list of priests and sisters killed and/or persecuted (see table). There is a statistics of the seminarists the same. The political opposition was partly on religious base. Vatican diplomacy could arrange only the appointment of bishops. In the eighties the normalization was on the way, the diplomatic contacts with the Holy See was possible only after the year of Annus mirabilis (1989), in 1990. In the conclusion Author cites the words of the Norbertine Abbot Eugene Horváth: „we were condamned to death, but we are alive". Pope John Paul II, during his pastoral visit in 1996 asked the wind of the Holy Spirit onto the Church in Hungary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experts are very divided about whether religions have helped or hindered the latest step towards globalization. While archive-based studies tracking the relationships between religions and globalization remain scarce, this article aims to contribute to this conversation through a historical inquiry into Word Youth Days (WYDs), global religious festivals organized by the Catholic Church every two or three years since 1984. Reviewing the documentation spread in seven of the eight countries where WYDs were held during John Paul II's pontificate, the author argues that these mega-events, embedded in the globalization process, were an attempt to make globalization more inclusive. According to Mercier, Catholicism remain a globalizing force in the contemporary era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid changes in the style of communication in the media over the last three decades have been enormous. Technological progress and the development of communication channels are constantly changing the ways in which authorities and communities are interconnected. In the paper, the authors examine the approach of the last three Popes to the new possibilities of communication through the Internet. This survey study traces how John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis anticipated the consequences of technological possibilities and social change in society in their texts and how their ideas manifested themselves in the public media space. The call for a new way of evangelization is shared by all three popes. Their texts and speeches not only reflect scholarly research on religious behavior on the Internet, but also often anticipate the possibilities of communication within the new digital continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/Context: in recent decades, religion has established itself as one of the most potent instruments to activate political aspirations. The classical paradigms of secularization failed in their predictions, and religion has neither been confined to the private sphere nor has it disappeared from public space. This article looks at how faith is made visible in a particular way and claims its seat in the public discourse. Methodology: the article engages with its objective starting from the analysis of primary sources--ecclesiastic documents, press reports, and references from Spanish Public Administration--and the methods developed around the study of social movements and the cultural history of the political milieu. Originality: the paper focuses on Pope John Paul II's trip to Spain in October and November of 1982. A few days before his arrival, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (psoe) had won the general elections by a vast absolute majority. For the first time after General Franco's death, a nominally left-wing party took over the government's control. In that context, the Papal visit had great political relevance: significant media and political opposition against that new government came together around John Paul II. Conclusions: through the trips of the Vatican State's head, the Catholic Church mobilizes Catholics in the streets, which transforms the crowds turning out to accompany the Pope into actual marches in which religious recognition mixes with political demands. The trip analyzed in this article, whose logic echoed in multiple spaces during the Papacy of John Paul II, shows us an institution of a marked transnational character capable of acting as an authentic political agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essay describes - through unpublished documentation - the diplomatic work of Italy and the Holy See to gradually reintegrate Gaddafi of Libya into a system of peaceful relationships around the Mediterranean basin, combined with a system of guarantees for the Catholic community present in Libya. These objectives have seen a convergence of Italian foreign policy led by Andreotti and the pacification projects of John Paul II, with a view to the future of relationships between the North and South of the world, between Christianity and Islam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We will consider the trace of John Paul II, Karol Wojtyπa, in time and that of his time in him. We will, first of all, recall the historical context and then focus on our proposal to interpret his action. To achieve this in a synthetic way, we have recourse to two solutions: we will concentrate on the relationship of John Paul II with the historical events of our own world –the Western world– and on the events that marked the first years of his pontificate. We will try to interpret his activities by starting from a premise on the relationship between tradition and innovation in three great scenarios: doctrinal questions, the triumph of secularization, and political violence. Finally, we will assess a measure that seems to be the center of his pastoral action: the impulse of a new evangelization with a truly global extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of published archival material and literature, the authors analyse the politicial situation and diplomatic activities in Europe that led to the international recognition of Croatia in 1992. Particular attention is paid to the role played by the Holy See and Pope John Paul II in the process of international recognition of Croatia. The role of Pope John Paul II during the period of the Cold War, as well as overcoming the totalitarian and antireligious ideologies is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay explores some of the papal symbols which assumed particular prominence during the pontificate of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216). These symbols belong to different modes of expression: metaphoric speech and writing (vicarius Christi, the pope's body); clothing (pallium, tiara); objects (the Golden Rose); and visual art (the mosaic in Old St Peter's). It is argued that the pope - and his curia - employed these symbols to represent the special position of authority which the pope held within the Church and society at large, and that several of them played a role in ritual enactments of papal authority. It is furthermore argued that they should be seen as part of a coherent system of symbols and that many of them serve to emphasise the relationship between the pope and Christ, and thus represent Pope Innocent III's ecclesiological programme in which the pope as God's representative on earth plays a pivotal role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the first longer letters of Pope John Paul II was addressed to the Hungarian Episcopacy and the Hungarian Catholics. Besides the traditional Polish-Hungarian friendship, he highlighted the person of Saint Stephen and the role of Hungary in the history of the Christian religion. " [...] the Catholic Church, which had such a significant role in the history of Hungary, can still pervade the spiritual image of your country, and can make the lightness of Jesus Christ's gospel, that gave light to the sons of the Hungarian people during so many centuries, shine for your sons and daughters."- wrote in his letter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses difference between Pope John XXIII and Pope Francis in terms of their birth places, ideology, and philosophy, along with the information on their election to papacy.

Many observers detect a noticeable change in tone and practice between the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI on the one hand, and that of Francis on the other, a shift from what some have called a more rigorously doctrinal and juridical approach to a more inclusive and pastoral one. This change has been dubbed “the Francis Effect,” and numerous commentators have attempted to discern its fundamental characteristics and its impact on the wider church. This roundtable, based on a “reading of the Roman tea leaves” first proposed by James T. Bretzke, SJ, at the 2015 College Theology Society Annual Convention and revised for this issue, offers an interpretation that focuses on the service (munus) of teaching and governing exercised by the pope and its practical impact on the church. In their responses to Bretzke, Julie Hanlon Rubio and Reid Locklin explore this impact further and point out both the strengths and the limits of the Francis Effect.1 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politeja is the property of Ksiegarnia Akademicka Sp. zo.o and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article discusses the religious anthropological aspects of the philosophies of 20th century Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. The author comments on the canonization of these popes as a result of their emphasis on humanity and society. He describes the focus of these popes on the relationship between God and man and considers the role of Jesus Christ in the lives of Christians worldwide. The work of John Paul II before his election to the papacy, then known as Karol Wojtyla, is also explored.

After the publication of the archives concerning the Pontificate of Pope Pius X, which was authorized by Pope John Paul II in 1985, a careful and detailed study of the documentation was carried out by the Vatican in order to obtain a full yet balanced picture of Pius X's Papacy. The archives released are from the Secretariat of State, the personal archive of Pope Pius X, as well as his personal writtings and the archives from the Congregation for Bishops. The information from these sources affords us a better understanding of the life and role of Pope St Pius X. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented on the theological issues and questions related to the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, highlighting the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. It states that Pope Benedict made history when he announced his resignation due to the deterioration of his physical capacity. It examines whether papal resignation is similar to abandonment of the cross, the apostolic ministry in Pope John Paul II's theology, and the implications of Benedict's resignation to future papacies.

In the paper, the author focuses on the definition of the Holy See, given its status as a specific subject of international law, which is often mistakenly equated with the Vatican City State. Consequently, the fundamental features of the Holy See's diplomacy and foreign policy are described. The author puts special emphasis on the usage of soft power in its foreign policy. The attention is also devoted to the analysis of selected diplomatic actions and engagement of the Holy See in international relations, in particular, through the action of former popes: the intervention of John XXIII during the Cuban missile crisis and the initiative of John Paul II and Benedict XVI in the Holy Land and in Cuba, respectively. Furthermore, the character and role of apostolic nuncio in his diplomatic service is clarified. Finally, the specific approach of the Holy See to conclude international treaties is illustrated by the example of the conclusion of such an agreement with the Slovak Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the election of the first Latin American as pope of the Catholic Church, Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now known as Pope Francis. The author comments on Francis' hopes for the universality of the Church and describes the history of the papacy from the 12th century. He also reflects on the previous pope, Benedict XVI, and his resignation in early 2013. A comparative analysis is made between the focuses of the last three popes: John Paul II's emphasis on hope, Benedict XVI's emphasis on faith, and Francis' emphasis on charity.

The paper is devoted to the issue of the exorcistate in the light of the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. The author stresses the importance of the proclamation by the Holy See -- in the person of Pope John Paul II -- of the revised Rite of Exorcism in 1999. The main body of the paper presents statistical data related to the issue of exorcisms performed by priests in Poland. Also emphasized is the need for cooperation between exorcists, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and lay persons. Moreover, the reasons for the influence of evil spirits over people were examined, in particular -- the negative impact on the state of mind of an individual resulting from Satanism, occultism, and idolatry. Also cited were quantitative and qualitative indicators for people suffering from possession. The Author identifies different types of influence, and -- consequently -- different types of care which should be provided to those afflicted. In summary, he points to the need for proper preparation of seminarians in diocesan seminaries to perform such service, including the development of a textbook (a sort of handbook for exorcists), and a prayer book for priests officiating the rites aimed at releasing people from the evil spirit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holy See's role in the crisis has been object of much criticism. Here I analyze the more modest role played by John Paul II and the most important one by Benedict XVI. I also offer an outline of the different accusations. The media has accomplished a good job making public the abuse scandal and its mismanagement. They have had failures in their treatment of the crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]