Orzecznictwo Sądu Okręgowego w Krakowie w sprawach o bluźnierstwo (1 września 1932 r. – 1 września 1939 r.)

Author(s): Maciej Mikuła / Language(s): Polish Issue: 3/2016

According to reviews of penal cases in the District Court in Kraków, there were 46 cases based on Art. 172, i.e. blasphemy, in the period from September 1, 1932 (when the new penal code entered into force) to the beginning of the Second World War. 72.5% of those accused were sentenced to 6 to 12 months in prison (1/3 of sentences were suspended). The National Archive in Kraków contains the acts of only 16 cases; the rest were destroyed. From these remaining acts we learn that most of the accused were farmers or workers who were poorly educated and owned no property, and that they committed the crime mostly during the course of a quarrel, not rarely under the influence of alcohol. Judges did not verify prerequisites of the blasphemy precisely; they did not analyse the intent of the accused sufficiently. This negligence was demonstrated by attorneys, but without any positive results for the accused. The strong social demur against blasphemy and lack of tolerance for such behaviour is visible in the extant acts.

Dokument Stolicy Apostolskiej w pół wieku po Nostra aetate

Author(s): Krzysztof Pilarczyk / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2016

The latest document ot the Commission of the Holy See for Religious Relations with the Jews, the fourth turn, is strictly theological. Taken in the four specific issues: (1) the importance of revelation (God's Word), (2) the relationship between the Old and New Testament/Covenant, (3) the relationship between the universality of salvation in Jesus Christ and saying that God's covenant with Israel has never been revoked, and (4) the task of evangelization of the Church in relation to Judaism. In addition, the document provides a brief overview of the impact of the Second Vatican Council declaration Nostra Aetate, determines the status of dialogue Catholic-Judaic and its objectives. The article is a critical commentary on the document and author a discussion on it.

Počiatky konventu klarisiek v Trnave v stredoveku

Author(s): Vladimír Rábik / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 1/2017

The paper deals with the research of the Trnava Clarissian monastery. This is one of the most important topics in the history of Medieval Trnava because it is an institution that has been in written sources since the end of the thirties of the 13th century, that is, from the initial period of formation of the protourban privileged community supported by the granting of a charter of privileges in 1238. The monastery belongs to the oldest documented historical buildings in Trnava. The importance of the Trnava convent goes beyond the local history itself because it is the oldest known monastery of this monastic order in the whole Kingdom of Hungary and the question of its establishment in the protourban environment, property and functional background is therefore also important for the research of the history of the order in Hungary.

Fundácie grófov zo Svätého Jura a Pezinka v bratislavskom františkánskom konvente

Author(s): Rastislav Luz / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 1/2017

Pious foundations have shaped the form of religious life since the middle ages. Thanks to these, material security for the spiritual persons was created, which indirectly led to an increase in their number. The foundations were mostly based on the writing of foundation deed (litterae fundationales), which, besides financial issues, often addressed the very specific requirements of liturgical celebrations (their number, way of celebrating etc.). The rich foundation activities are associated with house of count of Svätý Jur and Pezinok. The latest research have completed three previously known foundations in castle chapel in Pezinok and funeral chapel in Svätý Jure with two new foundations located in the Franciscan convent in Bratislava. The mass foundation was constituted in 1472 by count Ladislav IV. and its purpose was to serve seven masses every week. Celebrant, according to counts command, should use liturgical texts of the Holy Trinity (on Sunday), the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (on Tuesday) and texts of requiem (remaining days of week). Ladislav’s unknown relative created a foundation dedicated to the singing of the liturgy of hours (divinum officum) on Sunday (with use of texts about the Holy Trinity) and Friday (texts about the Holy Cross). The presented study provides a description of both of these foundations and complete edition of previously non published foundation deed of count Ladislav from 1472.

Benedict z Canfieldu, zabudnutý učiteľ duchovného života

Author(s): Ladislav Tkáčik / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 1/2017

The paper wants to be a brief introduction to the work of the prominent English Recusant, Benedict of Canfield also known as Benet of Canfield, or Benoît de Canfeld (1562 – 1610), a member of the Parisian Capuchin province. His major work “Regula perfectionis” is the masterpiece of seventeenth-century mystical spirituality, which had circulated in manuscript since 1592 and served as a manual of two or three generations of mystics. For his influence, he has been called the “Maître des maîtres eux-mêmes”. Throughout the seventeenth century went through more than fifty editions in various languages but was also placed on the index of “libri prohibiti” in 1689. But Benedict’s writings stand full square in the tradition of the Franciscan masters of mystical theology, not least with St Bonaventure. This study is part of the intention to publish the complete Slovak translation of Benedict’s major work.

Pápež Lev X. [Medici]: Ite vos

Author(s): / Language(s): Czech Issue: 1/2017

Situaţia Bisericii Ortodoxe în R.S.S. Moldovenească, 1940-1941

Author(s): Nicolae Fuştei / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1-2/2017

In the present study, based on the archival documents, it is reflected the status of the Orthodox Church in Moldavian SSR during 1940-1941. After the occupation of Bessarabia by the USSR in June 1940, a fiercely anti-religious struggle was organised using different ways: ideological, administrative, economic, insulting the religious feeling of believers, and the systematic terror. To achieve struggle with religion, the crucial decisions were taken by the top party organs including the decision of the Bureau of Central Committee of the Communist Party of MSSR from March 7, 1941. As a result of the anti-religious policy, the number of the ministering priests decreased from 1042 to 376, the number of the churches decreased from 943 to 340 only over a year.The present study, based on the archival documents, reflects the status of the Orthodox Church in Moldavian SSR during 1940-1941. After the occupation of Bessarabia by the USSR in June 1940, a fiercely anti-religious struggle began at all levels: ideological, administrative, economic, insulting the religious feeling of believers, and the systematic terror. In its fight against religion, the crucial decisions were taken by the top party organs, including the decision of the Bureau of Central Committee of the Communist Party of MSSR from March 7, 1941. As a result of the anti-religious policy, in only one year the number of the ministering priests decreased from 1042 to 376, whilst the number of the churches decreased from 943 to 340.

O AMPULLA MEDIEVALĂ DIN COLECŢIILE MUZEULUI DE ISTORIE A MOLDOVEI, IAŞI

Author(s): Ioan Iaţcu / Language(s): Romanian,French Issue: 1/2010

En 1980, sur le territoire de la ville de Iaşi on a découvert une amphorette en céramique qui se fait remarquer par une technique supérieure d’exécution. Initialement, les auteurs de la découverte, en analysant l’image et l’inscription, l’attribuaient à un édifice célébrant Sainte Barbara, mais l’image (la scène de l’Annonciation) et l’inscription (Nazareth) visible sur l’une faces du récipient, démontre qu’il s’agit d’une ampulla (ampoule) qui a appartenu à un pèlerin qui a visité les Lieux Saints de Palestine, ou un autre centre religieux byzantin (Constantinople, Athos etc.). Ce récipient et celui en plomb découvert en 1968 instituent une série d’ampullae identifiées dans le foyer historique de la ville de Iaşi.

The Origins of the Polish-German Reconciliation, 1965-1966

Author(s): Karina Marczuk / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1-2/2017

The topic of the article concerns the origins of the process of establishing and then developing bilateral relations between Germany and Poland at the turn of 1965 and 1966. The main argument is that advancing reconciliation in bilateral Polish-German relations was possible owing to the considerable input of the Polish Catholic Church, including the memorable letter of the Polish bishops to their German counterparts (“We forgive and ask for forgiveness”). These two years are significant for the mutual relations of Poland and Germany. First, in 1965 the Polish Catholic bishops submitted to their German counterparts the letter that opened the path to an improvement in relations between the nations. Afterwards, “reconciliation” was introduced into the public discourse. Second, in 1966 the Polish Catholic Church celebrated the 1000th anniversary of the Christianisation of Poland, which became both a challenge and a chance for developing the dialogue with Germans. Therefore, the main research questions concern, first, the determinants of the tensions between Poland and both German states after World War II as well as the impact of the 1965 bishops’ letter on the development of bilateral relations.

Есхатологічні філософія та релігія духу нової драми в інтерпретації Миколи Вороного

Author(s): Lyudmyla Hurenko / Language(s): Ukrainian Issue: 37/2016

The purpose of the article is to analyse of the eschatological philosophy and the religion of spirit of the new drama in Ukrainian European theatrical system of the end of XIX century and the beginning of the XX century on the basis of M. Voronyi’s articles – «Drama of alive symbols», «In the nets of lie» and «Theatrical art and Ukrainian theatre (Thoughts and notes)». Methodology. The research methodology includes biographical and cultural commentary that allow highlight the state of situational and socio-cultural factors of the spiritual life of the artists in their searching of themselves and trying to overcome their own distorted worldview. The historical and logical method reveals the causal relationship of a new drama due to philosophical and ideological transformations. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the research is the understanding of the origins of the theoretical concept of the eschatological philosophy and religion of spirit of the new drama in M. Voronyi interpretation. Conclusions. Each new historical cycle of inevitable catastrophes and disasters, which are warning and attempts to improve the human consciousness, leads to the apocalyptic moods. In general, each person should overcome the local spiritual collapse. Drama as one of three main sorts of fiction has its immanent religious concept, which had been transforming for ages. That process led to the appearance of the new so-called drama in the XIX-XX centuries.

Medialny przekaz problematyki pedofilii w Kościele katolickim w Polsce

Author(s): Józef Kloch,Monika Przybysz / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 2/2014

What communication standards does the Church in Poland strive to achieve to counter the paedophilia? In what way (in terms of ethics) did journalists report on the basic topics related to the problem of paedophilia? These are the main issues of this analysis, concerning the mistakes of Church institutions and people representing the Church, as well as the journalists’ mishandling of the problem of paedophilia. The superiors of Church institutions in Poland did not manage to avoid the repetitive errors of the USA, Ireland or Germany prelates, such as transferring priests, who had suspicious or even reprehensible relationships with children, from one parish to another. Sadly, these transfers went usually hand in hand with ignoring the warning signals in this area. Time and time again the problem of ill-considered statements concerning paedophilia occurs among the clergy, typically ranking high in the hierarchy. Another blameworthy behaviour is the lack of knowledge about the paedophilia itself and the passivity of decision-makers towards the clergymen who behave improperly in relation to children. The journalists also criticize the lack of necessary pastoral aid, as well as the lack of thinking in the categories of making amends or offering compensation to the victims – first of all among the culprits and, to some extent, among their superiors. The fundamental misdeed of journalists is being silent about the heart of the problem. And it is all about protecting the children and young people against the paedophiles and helping those who have been hurt. Journalists most often publicize the cases of paedophilia in the Church in Poland in an excessive and disproportionate way, as if this was the problem of only one social group. They usually stay silent about the activity of the Church in the area of paedophilia prevention. And while describing the cases of paedophilia among the clergy, journalists quite often do not remember about the fundamental principles of journalist ethics (the case of the author of the “Wprost” weekly article). Therefore, both sides should notice their own mistakes in handling the paedophilia problem in Poland; they should also cooperate in educating the society about the evil of paedophilia. The Church and the media should also sensitize the public to behaviours indicative of paedophilia among concrete persons.

Sprawozdanie z konferencji naukowej pt. Chrystianizacja „Młodszej Europy”, Poznań, 16–18 września 2015 r.

Author(s): Jakub Wojtczak / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2016

Wokół elekcji arcybiskupa Wincentego z Niałka

Author(s): Łukasz Szempliński / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2015

The tenth/eleventh century saw the emergence of the Gregorian movement (named so after Pope Gregory VII) in the so-called Carolingian countries. Established in response to the crisis of the Church, due to its significant dependence on the secular power, the movement sought the reform of the Church. At first unwelcome in Poland, Gregorian ideas began to gain popularity over time. Owing to increased relations with the West and the activities of a number of prominent bishops, the ground for the reform was finally prepared in the twelfth century. In the early thirteenth century, Henryk Kietlicz, the Archbishop of Gniezno, was the one to initiate a decisive struggle for the freedom of the church. He was supported by a group of Dukes, the so-called Junior Dukes. In 1217, the group disintegrated owing to the alliance of the most powerful dukes of the Piast dynasty. Following Kietlicz’s death in 1219, allied dukes, supported by the papal Curia, introduced their own candidate at the archbishopric, notwithstanding the resistance of the supporters of the former archbishop, who feared that the introduced reforms would not last.

Nuncjatura Apostolska bez nuncjusza w Czechosłowacji okresu międzywojennego

Author(s): Marek Šmíd / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2015

The study focuses on the period of the First Czechoslovak Republic, when the Apostolic Nunciature in Prague was vacant and represented only by chargé d‘affaires, who were in charge of the Vatican embassy. During the interwar period this happened twice, in 1925–1928 and 1934–1935, in both cases for appeal of the Apostolic Nuncio to Rome. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Nunciature was headed by very able officials who analysed the political-religious situation in the country and informed the high Vatican circles about important events in Czechoslovakia. At the same time, they attended negotiations regarding the future Apostolic Nuncio to Prague. The Czech-Vatican relations were strained and significantly disturbed; in fact, the situation could have easily escalated into an open rupture. It is neverthlees owing to to the activity of the above-mentioned officalis that the Holy See and Czechoslovakia avoided a complete severance of diplomatic relations.

Sprawozdanie z konferencji naukowej pt. Chrystianizacja Europy. Kościół na przełomie I i II tysiąclecia, Poznań, 25-26 września 2014 r.

Author(s): Marcin Danielewski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2015

Polityka Bolesława V wobec klasztorów w aspekcie procesów modernizacji księstwa krakowsko-sandomierskiego II połowy XIII wieku

Author(s): Piotr Gryguć / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2014

This paper is an attempt to characterise the policy of the Duke of Kraków–Sandomierz Bolesław V towards the monasteries functioning in his realm. The author will discuss only those conventions, which helped the duke implement his economic policy, notably Benedictine, Cistercian, or Norbertine orders. Excluded are orders related to the new beggar movement, the only exception being the Zawochost-Skała Order of Saint Clare. The aim is to show the role of by the monasteries in the modernisation of the Kraków–Sandomierz state, since in the second half of the thirteenth century Małopolska attempted to catch up economic gap separating it from its neighbours. Duke Boleslaw was aware of the enormity of the challenges that awaited him at the beginning of his reign. The thirteenth century saw a great confl ict between the secular and spiritual power. One look at the situation in other districts – Wielkopolska, Mazovia and Silesia is enough to notice the significant role of the aspirations of the clergy in the internal politics of those principalities. A young ruler from Kraków was cognisant of the ample opportunities that the collaboration with the Church could bring. With a view to achieving his economic objectives, he nevertheless decided on the cooperation with religious orders. It was an understandable move, given that monasteries had proper financial background, as well as a network of contacts necessary for the modernisation of the Duchy of Kraków–Sandomierz Furthermore, the role of monasteries in the process of colonisation and the acquisition of new settlers, as well as specialists in the field of mining, cannot be overestimated. Bolesław V was aware of the role of the development of rural settlement and its interrelateion with urbanisation in the increase of the well-being of the entire state. Patterns from Silesia, Bohemia and Hungary indicated the monarch how he could enhance economic development of his land, and strengthen his own power. Such transformations nonetheless required considerable financial outlay. Since princely treasure, ruined by invasion, was unable to provide ade-quate investment for modernization, the monarch supported the colonisation run by religious orders. In order to facilitate their economic development, legal and economic immunities were bestowed upon them. The duke supported also the assemblage of land. Immunisation was beneficial not only for monks but also the ruler: the duke deprived the administrative apparatus of their judiciary prerogatives and took over part of its mandate and income. At the same time, the elimination of obsolete laws of princely duties provided the monasteries with the possibility of conducting an extensive colonisation action based on given freedoms, which resulted in the dissemination of novel economic solutions brought from the west by the monasteries. This knowledge included a comprehensive program of reconstruction of the domain in order to increase revenue. It is worthy of note that the Cistercians became the ruler’s chef specialists in the search for salt and other natural resources. The monks from Wąchock provided not only professional help in the search for salt, but also repair of salt brewing equipment. Owing to the development of this industry, salt mines of Wieliczka and Bochnia began to yield enormous revenues, which replenished princely treasure following the expropriation reform of Bolesław V. The major role of religious orders in the modernisation of the Duchy of Kraków–Sandomierz is therefore evident. Backed by regal authority and under the duke’s care, they were able to fully exploit their economic potential for the colonisation and urbanisation of Małopolska. Their cooperation with the monarch brought them immunities essential for the development of their possessions. Beneficial to both parties, this police significantly contributed to the changes in social relations in the state of Bolesław V. Patterns of economic restructuration imported by the monasteries became a model employed, albeit with some delay, also by the nobility.

Hagiografi e v 10. a 11. století

Author(s): Marie Bláhová / Language(s): Czech Issue: 1/2014

In her paper Hagiografi e v 10. a 11. Století, Marie Bláhová of Charles University in Prague examines the early history of the development of this genre. First, she discusses what hagiography is and when and under what circumstances this branch of the Latin literature was born. The author points out to the ancient roots of hagiography (the second century). Next to the history and the causes of the emergence of hagiography, the paper presents the development of its forms and changes in the choice of types of holiness, which could be included in such works since the late antiquity until the eleventh century. Marie Bláhová has presented readers with a wide panorama of centers and individuals distinguished in creating and rewriting hagiographic literature, noting their role at the time of birth of a given work and its subsequent dissemination. This panorama is made up of activities of both various centers and literary circles in older Europe, i.e., Empire, England, France, Italy, and in Central Europe, namely Hungary, Czech and Poland.

Dušan Škvarna, Adam Hudek "Cyril a Metod v historickom vedomí a pamäti 19. a 20. storočia na Slovensku", Historický ústav Slovenskej akadémie vied, Bratislava 2013

Author(s): Miroslav Lysý / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 1/2014

Szesnastowieczne pobizantyńskie freski z Supraśla w świetle dokumentacji konserwatorskiej – historia zniszczeń

Author(s): Krystyna Stawecka / Language(s): Polish Issue: 19/2017

The article is dedicated to the history of the unique 16th-century Byzantine frescoes in Suprasl. Here we find an attempt of determining an exact date of accomplishment of the interior wall ornamentation (as well as establishing its authorship) in the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of the Mother of God in Suprasl. The main part of the text contains a description of the successive stages of polychromy degradation that started with the damages caused by new elements of the interior decoration added in the seventeenth century (iconostasis, side altars) and was continued in the 18th century when the large parts of the frescoes were panelled. Later on the profound alteration of the architectural and painting of the presbytery was made. It ended with almost complete destruction of the frescoes during the World War II. The part of the text also mentions the restorative treatments conducted on this monument since the end of the 19th century. Here we can also find the study of preserving the extant fragments of the paintings during the post-war times. The analysis of the conservatory measures and their documentation taken between 1964–1965 (66) as well as in 2012 and 2014 closes the article.

Związki kulturowe monasteru supraskiego z kulturą serbską w XVI wieku

Author(s): Antoni Mironowicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 19/2017

In the 16-th century the monastery of Suprasl was the second monastic center of the Orthodox Church in the Great Duchy of Lithuania after the Kiev-Caves Monastery. In the history of the Byelorussian culture the monastery in Suprasl occupies unique place. The best achievements of many branches of culture have been concentrated in it. They mirror close contacts with the religious and cultural heritage of other Slavonic nations. The monastery became a place of the reciprocal permeating of various religious trends. Also, here, many national cultures influenced each other. An example of this reciprocal permeating of cultures was the architecture and interior decorations of the Annunciation monastery church. The uniqueness of the architecture of this building consists in the mixing of the Gothic and Byzantine styles. The direct connections of Suprasl with Byzantine and Serbian culture may be proved by the monumental frescos in the Annunciation Church. They were painted by a group of painters under the supervision of Nektorius the Serb (Serb Nekhtarioosh). These frescos were a testimony to dogmatic Orthodoxy. The monastery of Suprasl was visited by many outstanding writers, religious leaders and political notables. This monastery was also visited by the Patriarch of Constantinople – Jeremiash II, the Serbian and Bulgarian patriarch - Gabriel, and many other Church dignitaries from Balkans. In the 16-th century, the monastery of Suprasl became a major ecclesiastical center of all the Slavic nations. The monastery while being the major center of Orthodox theological thought, still remained open for new trends in philosophical thought. During the 16-th century the monastery of Suprasl was in close relationship with Bulgaria, Serbia, The Great Duchy of Moscow and Holy Athos Mount. This found its reflection in sacral art, publishing and literature.