Assessment

80% final essay (2000 words); 20% participation and formal debate

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to familiarize students with the Catholic Church’s ecumenical and inter-religious engagement. More particularly, the module (i) covers the key ecclesiological and theological principles which guide Catholic dialogue and (ii) explores in some depth certain ecumenical and inter-religious dialogues (E.g., Catholic – Jewish dialogue, Catholic – Lutheran dialogue etc.).

Learning Outcomes

• — Explain the difference between Ecumenism and Inter-religious dialogue.
• — Explain how dialogue, both ecumenical and inter-religious, is compatible with fundamental Catholic ecclesiological principles.
• — Explain how the dogmatic axiom Extra ecclesiam nulla salus is to be understood.
• — Discuss some of the key doctrinal and religious differences between Catholics and other Non-Catholic Christians and non-Christians.
• — Differentiate between inclusivist, pluralist, and exclusivist approaches to inter-religious dialogue.
• — Explain the different modes of dialogical activity, including spiritual, charitable, doctrinal, and ‘receptive’ ecumenism.

Bibliography

• — Lumen Gentium 1-17
• — Unitatis Redintegratio
• — Nostra Aetate