The paper is divided into three sections. The first section gives the brief overview of life in the plural world. In the second section the human being is shown as the highest value. The third, final section investigates pro-existence in the service or religion followers. Religious pluralism refers to an evangelical attitude of openness and kindness towards all religions, which however does not create the obligation to recognise all religious as true. The concept indicates three planes of dialogue with representatives of other religions, among which this is the plane of common values that is particularly important. Furthermore, the value held in the highest regard should be human dignity, and only by conducting our life according to the rules of pro-existence (living for others) can we show our respect to every human. This may be achieved by moving from the egotistic life to living for “the other”, regardless of the accepted worldview or religious practice. Only in this way will religiously diverse societies get closer together and make way for the highest of the worldly goods, the other man.

The methodology of scientifi c work is a crucial matter for the proper development of scientific research. The milieu of pastoral theologians has long been engaged in a discussion on the research method suitable to this theological discipline regarding both scholarly research and the preparation of diploma theses. After many years of quest, Rev. Prof. Ryszard Kaminski’s publication is a welcome aid for the beginning as well as advanced theologians.

The Lithuanians are one of the national minorities in Poland. They mainly live in the Suwałki Region near the border between Poland and Lithuania. This article presents the teaching of the Church on national minorities. It is an attempt to show historical, political, socio-demographic and ecclesial conditions of the pastoral care in the Lithuanian national minority in Poland, especially in the diocese of Ełk where the Lithuanian population is mostly represented. The diffi culties of the Lithuanian national minority are sometimes excessively exposed and publicized by its leaders and not always resolved through dialogue leading to genuine agreement. The author points to a need for building bridges between Lithuanian and Polish Christians and considering pastoral dialogue to be a leading pastoral activity in the Lithuanian national minority.

Is there any mysticism specifi cally evangelical and how does it diff er from other forms of mysticism conditioned by a confession or religion? To answer such questions, fi rst of all, mysticism, a diffi cult to defi ne term, has to be thematized. Mysticism as a phenomenon expanding boundaries of any confession or religion, can have an important meaning for the contemporary society, providing it with an old answer to the current challenges of our times. Experiencing the unity with God has played and still does play an important role also within Protestantism, even though originally the reformers were skeptical toward mysticism. A brief look at Martin Luther and his theology, as well as at the contemporary protestant theories of mysticism reveals that the evangelical identity and mysticism do not exclude each other. However, Evangelical Christians can communicate their mystical experiences only if they resort to the religious language of their tradition. In addition, they have to perceive such experiences in the light of the basic theses underlying evangelical theology in order to sustain their evangelical identity. Thus, mysticism in a modifi ed form constitutes one of the main sources evangelical spirituality stems from.

March 26, 2017 marked the 750th anniversary of the canonization of St. Hedwig of Silesia (†1243). On this occasion the Wroclaw metropolitan, Archbishop Jozef Kupny proclaimed the Year of St. Hedwig (2016–2017) in the Wroclaw metropolis. Celebrations include a variety of religious and cultural events as well as scientifi c symposia. The present article St. Hedwig of Silesia in the teaching of John Paul II falls within the scope of the anniversary celebrations. Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, even before his election to St. Peter’s Chair paid several visits to the shrine of St. Hedwig in Trzebnica near Wroclaw. These visits are discussed in the fi rst part of the article. St. Hedwig became especially close to John Paul II spiritually as his election took place on her liturgical feast, on October 16, 1978. The Holy Father testifi ed to this spiritual affinity in his teaching. In the second part of the article seven detailed issues are discussed based on the pope’s inscriptions in commemorative books and his utterances referring to St. Hedwig of Silesia.

The year 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of Reformation in the Lutheran Church. The celebrations are accompanied by numerous exhibitions, academic conferences, ecumenical services, in which Catholics also take part. It does not mean, however, that Catholics celebrate the schism in the Church which took place 500 years ago but undertake theological refl ection and participate in ecumenical prayer. Such a refl ection is also undertaken by Professor Beata Bilicka in her article The question of Reformation in catechisms and religious education textbooks in 1945–1990 which focuses on the evolution of ecumenical catechesis before and after the Second Vatican Council. Synthetic refl ections are limited to the presence of Martin Luther and Reformation in catechisms and religious education textbooks which were used in Poland from 1945 to 1990, i.e. until religious education returned to schools and kindergartens. The article consists of three parts. The fi rst part briefl y characterises pre-conciliar catechesis (1945–1965) which was closed to ecumenical dialogue in a broader sense of this word, also when it comes to the Lutheran Church and therefore this type of approach might be described as intolerant. The second part of the article demonstrates how after the Second Vatican Council the teaching about Reformation has changed in religious education classes. The article ends with a synthetic conclusion.

The article presents the teaching of John Paul II on obstacles to the realization of peace addressed to diplomats. The Pope emphasized that the obstacles to the realization of peace have nothing to do with the pluralism of ideas and actions, and manifest themselves in painful clashes between people, groups, categories of people, nations and blocks of countries. They undermine the dignity and rights of man and the nation. They deepen mutual distrust and hatred, becoming a great danger to maintaining order in the international arena. John Paul II, speaking of peace, pointed out that it becomes increasingly distant in today’s world. Peace is at stake wherever the human spirit is oppressed by poverty or constrained by socio-political or ideological injunctions.

This article reveals the rich symbols and theology of the altar present in the most important prayers which compose the new Rite of Dedication of an Altar. Three of them, which are connected with the Rite very closely are the subjects of the analysis which has been done. These are: the Prayer of the Dedication of Water, the Litany of the Saints and the Prayer of Dedication of an Altar. Christ’s sacrifi ce on the Cross, made present in a bloodless way on the altar, purifi es the believers from their sins, and revives in them the purity of God’s children. The altar constitutes a place where the Church dwelling in heaven and the pilgrim Church on earth meet in a real way. Most of the theological content is present in the solemn Prayer of Dedication of the altar. First of all, it presents the altar as a table of sacrifi ce and of the eucharistic banquet. The altar is a place around which the community of believers gather to be nourished by the Body of Christ. In the altar we should see the table of the eschatological banquet prepared by the Saviour in eternity for the believers who fulfi ll his commandment of love on earth. The theology of the prayers shows very clearly that a dedicated altar is the most important structure and focal point of each church.

The purpose of this paper is to present the promising fi elds in homiletics and in pastoralpraxis of preaching where interdenominational cooperation is possible. This includes the fi elds of real collaboration among preachers of diff erent ecclesial communities, but also the reminder that ecumenical preaching and true pastoral care cannot be based on resignation or declining of one’s own confessional identity. What is common for Christian denominations are the martyrs – the witnesses of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Another common heritage of all Christian denominations is the Bible as a Source of Preaching. Some of the denominations share the lectionary as a gift and challenge. But it is not the Bible, which is being preached but Jesus Christ as the Lord. Besides Christocentrism in preaching, the language of preaching is important, which should be a language of dialogue and goodwill, not one of division, dominance, hate, or confrontation.

Family life education delivered by Polish schools requires well-organised classes to make pupils more multilaterally active. Of particular importance is learning through discovering and experiencing values as it activates pupils, thus allowing to properly implement that part of the curriculum which refers not only to communicating the message, but also to developing skills and social attitudes. It may also contribute to internalising values and upholding them in everyday life. Correctly presented issues encourage pupils to resolve them. Such issues foster active participation in discussions on the value of marriage and family. They show the universal values and stimulate pupils to think creatively and arrive at conclusions about their own attitude towards marriage and family. Learning through discovering and experiencing values during family life education classes requires appropriate methodologies and teaching methods. Teaching aids such as short educational videos, plays and varieties of drama, e.g. sociodrama can prove benefi cial, as they evoke various emotions and lead to discussions on the valuation of marriage and family.