Karol Wojtyła was elected Pope at a time when ecumenism was going through a phase of stagnation. After the post-council enthusiasm, the progress of “dialogue in love”, after the adoption of a common prayer, a confrontation began at the theological level, less spectacular and much more difficult, more complex because of various problems that had to be clarified. Nevertheless, John Paul II, especially through his travels, definitely helped to bridge this distance, although he also had to endure some “attacks”, as he acknowledged.
As the first Pope in history, in 1989 he went to the “kingdom” of the reformation, to the Scandinavian countries. And, there his welcome not always was worthy of the people of the Church. Some Lutheran Bishops in Norway or Denmark have left prayer meetings with the Pope.
After all, this visit has delivered abundant fruit. John Paul II, coming as a brother, a friend, and above all as a witness of Christ, overthrew much of the hostile attitude that persisted in those countries. He made a significant revaluation of Luther’s character and work, thus paving the way for a doctrinal confrontation between Catholics and members of the Reformed Churches. And he commented: “It is a grace that we could pray together.”
With the consent of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “Testimony”.
TBA marketing communication Publishing House. Warsaw 2007
