Historyczne i współczesne uwarunkowania ewangelizacji w diecezji Spira
Historical and contemporary determinants of evangelization in the diocese of Speyer

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the issue of evangelization in the diocese of Speyer, which has existed since the Roman times. However, nowadays an “erosion of faith” can be observed in it. The causes can betraced back to the Reformation times. The principle of “cuius regio eius religio” meant that a choiceof faith was not a personal one but it was determined by rulers. For centuries the local Church did not recognize witnesses of difficult times who could be shown as role models. For many generations the conscience of the faithful was insufficiently formed for personal responsibility. After the Second World War there was not enough moral evaluation related to the assessment of this history period and responsibility was not taken for the fault of the nation. The idea of pluralistic society made faith, sacraments relative as well as permanent decisions regarding the choice of marriage and priesthood. Despite a good financial situation of the Church defensive mentality and focus on adapting structures to the decreasing number of active participants in the Church’s life prevails. At the same time initiatives to deepen and renew the faith are undervalued and neglected. The article points out specific pastoral and liturgical activities aimed at returning to the sources of faith. Secularization cannot be seen only as a social andcultural process to which the Church is forced to surrender passively, reducing its structures.

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