The joint declarations of the Protestant and Catholic Churches concerning ethical questions express the ecumenical progress achieved so far. However, the present ecumenical tension is obvious in issues concerning the understanding of the church, doctrine, and freedom of conscience. The Catholic Church has recently laid a greater emphasis on the hierarchical, authoritative and binding character of ecclesiastical doctrine in moral issues as well. For the Protestant Church and theology however freedom of conscience is fundamental. In spite of these theological differences the significance of joint declarations for the future must be emphasized. The arguments of Catholic and Protestant ethics can complement each other in joint declarations. The joint declarations reach larger parts of today's society than texts worded by only one Church.

Enthalten in:
Zeitschrift für Evangelische Ethik; 2001/2 Kommentare, Studien, Berichte, Dokumentationen, Diskussionen, Rezensionen, Bibliographie (2001)

---

Serie / Reihe: Zeitschrift für Evangelische Ethik

Personen: Kreß, Hartmut

Schlagwörter: Evangelische Kirche Ethik Katholische Kirche Studie Säkularisierung Wertorientierung Menschenwürde Gewissensfreiheit Grundwerte Christliche Sozialethik Interkonfessionelles Gespräch