The Church that (does not) die. Ecclesiological inspirations from the works of Oto Mádra

This chapter presents the main ecclesiological themes found in the work of the Czech theologian Oto Madr (1917–2011), showing their significance as a potential source of inspiration for contemporary reflection on the nature and mission of the Church. The key point of reference is the experience of the Czech “underground Church” and Madr’s distinctive theology of the “dying Church,” which emphasizes its spiritual vitality, its rootedness in the action of the Holy Spirit, and its independence from external historical and social conditions. The aim of the essay is to reconstruct the essential elements of this ecclesiological vision and to demonstrate their theological significance. The first part outlines the historical and biographical context of Madr’s thought. The second part examines the key aspects of his “theology of the dying Church.” The third part identifies selected insights from his work that may serve as inspiration for interpreting the contemporary situation of the Church and for gaining a deeper understanding of its identity and mission.