Nostra aetate. Vatican II on non-Christian religions
Keywords:
Non-Christian Religions, Second Vatican Council, Interreligious Dialogue, Theology of ReligionsSynopsis
The book Nostra aetate. Vatican II on non-Christian religions is a comprehensive study of the Second Vatican Council document. It aims to present the essence of the Christian perspective on non-Christian religions, along with the genesis and significance of this groundbreaking text. The authors provide a broad historical and theological context prior to Vatican II to highlight the innovative character of the declaration against the backdrop of the Church’s prior teachings. The drafting process of Nostra aetate is meticulously reconstructed – from bishops’ pre-conciliar submissions (vota) through commission work and conciliar debates to the final text – using extensive sources. The book examines the content and structure of the five-point declaration, including a unique linguistic analysis of its key terms. It also addresses the document’s theological significance: Nostra aetate broke with the Church’s previous exclusivist approach and initiated an inclusivist stance toward non-Christian religions. Furthermore, the authors trace Nostra aetate’s influence on the development of interreligious dialogue and its reception in the Church’s post-conciliar teaching. As a result, Nostra aetate emerges as a watershed in the Church’s relations with other religions – its message of respect and fraternity remains timely and provides a foundation for ongoing efforts toward dialogue and peace among people of different faiths.
