Paul D. Murray

Receptive Ecumenism and Catholic Learning: Establishing the Agenda

Abstract This article introduces the Receptive Ecumenism and Catholic Learning research project – based in Durham, UK – the key thinking that drives it, and its core theological, ecclesiological and practical implications. The article unfolds in six steps, first laying out the shape and scope of the project and secondly identifying, briefly, its fundamental ecclesial-theological context and presuppositions. The third and fourth sections deal, respectively, with the broader intellectual and ecclesial-historical contexts that have also helped shape the projects thinking and vision, whilst sections five and six give full articulation to the twin key concepts of Receptive Ecumenism and Catholic Learning. The article argues that the contemporary context requires a fresh ecumenical ethic and strategy that moves beyond both post-denominationalism and any over-optimistic aspiration for full agreement in the immediacy. It concludes that this way is to be found in each community asking itself what can be learned (‘received’), with integrity, from its diverse others.

Ecclesia et Pontifice : On Delivering on the Ecclesiological Implications of Evangelii Gaudium

This article analyses the ecclesiological implications of Pope Francis’s 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium from the perspective of critical-constructive systematic ecclesiology. The analysis proceeds in three stages. The first, expository, section identifies the key sites of ecclesiological significance in EG . The second section reflects on the broad implications of EG for the contemporary task of Roman Catholic ecclesiology – and Catholic theology more generally – concerning how these tasks should appropriately be pursued. The third section identifies something of the range of specific issues and potential ways ahead pertaining to the various sites of ecclesiological significance in EG and representing the focussed critical-constructive work now needing to be done.

The reception of ARCIC I and II in Europe and discerning the strategy and agenda for ARCIC III.

This essay derives from an address to the inaugural meeting of the third major phase of work of the Anglican – Roman Catholic International Commission (arcic) at the Monastery of Bose, Italy in May 2011. arcic is the official organ for formal bilateral dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church. The methods devised by successive generations of arcic theologians have been highly influential in shaping the work of other bilateral ecumenical dialogues. The first half of the essay reviews and comments on the reception to-date within Europe of the first and second major phases of arcic’s work: arcicI (1971–1982) and arcicII (1987–2005). The second half then turns to identify the appropriate strategy for this crucial new phase of work, arcicIII (2011-present). Throughout the essay clear recognition is given to the fact that arcicIII is operating in a very different ecumenical context and in relation to a different set of challenges to those which prevailed when the classical arcic strategy was devised and as such requires a fresh strategic approach. The approach to contemporary ecumenical engagement and learning known as Receptive Ecumenism is presented here as providing this needed fresh strategy.

The Lasting Significance of Karl Rahner for Contemporary Catholic Theology

This essay starts out by identifying two contrary but equally inadequate ways in which to receive Rahner’s theological legacy, each of which serves to distort and diminish his true lasting significance for contemporary Catholic theology. Where one would treat his work as a new orthodoxy and narrow the task of interpretation to a self-enclosed Rahnerian scholasticism, the other would succumb to a simplistic construal of the relationship between Rahner’s progressivism and the more conservatively inclined counter-forces that now prevail. The central constructive counter-claim of this essay is that honouring Rahner’s legacy requires us to continue and extend his characteristic concern to explore rigorously yet imaginatively how Catholic thought and practice can be authentically renewed and refashioned in the various particular situations in which it finds itself. This claim is pressed in four phases: I. brief review of story and influence; II. resume of key critical reactions; III. outline of some significant fresh readings and IV. reflections on Rahner’s lasting significance proper.