Teologia świadka i świadectwa

Abstract

In presenting the theology of witness and testimony, first, the article concentrates on theology as a science about Christ – the Witness of God’s mystery – thanks to the revelation of the everlasting Father in the incarnation and saving mission of the Second Divine Person. Next the article presents theology in an „ascending” line: from man engaging in an act of testimony to the full unity with the Father through Christ in the Holy Spirit. Here appears the theological vision of Christ’s follower as a witness. The subject of the third paragraph concerns the theology of the objective and true testimony of Jesus Christ, who knows where he came from and where he is going (Jn 8:14), and the testimony about Jesus Christ and His Church, given by the faithful. The last part treats aspects of the specific forms of testimony of the various ranks in the Church: the hierarchy, consecrated people, and lay followers of Christ, thanks to whom the Church authenticates itself as a community of persons testifying about their faith. The article takes into account the indications of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which will admittedly become a basic book in the Year of Faith, announced by the apostolic letter of Pope Benedict XVI, Porta fidei, published as a „motu proprio”, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of Vaticanum II. Also, the main subjects of the XIII Ordinary Bishop Synod concerning the new evangelisation for the transmission of faith are not disregarded, and equally the latest adhortation of Benedict XVI, Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, presented to patriarchs and bishops of the Church in Near East on 23 September 2012.