František Vavřinec Rabas, OFMCap (1901–1969) jako pedagog a blízký spolupracovník litoměřického biskupa Štěpána Trochty

The article is dedicated to Roman Catholic priest, František Rabas, who was in 1918–1946 member of the Friars Minor Capuchin and thus used his monastic name Vavřinec. The chief aim of the text is to connect his two, so far in effect separately perceived identities, that is, one of the Capuchin historiographer, teacher, and educator, the other of the Rector of the seminary in Litoměřice and a secret vicar general of the Litoměřice bishopric. For this ‘subversive’ activity, he was in 1954 together with his bishop, Štěpán Trochta, and other collaborators, sentenced to many years in prison. The authors present a comprehensive biography of a notable personage of the Czech Catholic Church and Catholic intellectual circles of the first two thirds of the twentieth century, whose life aptly demonstrates the developments in the Catholic Church.

Comparative MMPI-2 Norms between Free and United Methodist, Catholic Priest, Episcopal, and Presbyterian Ministry Candidates

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) is often utilized to assess the suitability of ordination candidates by a religious organization. Published MMPI-2 scale scores for Roman Catholic priest, Episcopal, Presbyterians, and United Methodist ministry samples exist. However, previous research has not provided MMPI-2 scale scores for Free Methodist ordination candidates and has not provided a statistical comparison of scale scores between religious groups. The this study reports on MMPI-2 scale scores for Free Methodist ordination candidates and compares this group’s scores to Roman Catholic priests, Episcopal and Presbyterian ordination candidates, and a United Methodist sample. We found statistically significant differences between Free Methodist and Catholic Priests, Episcopal, Presbyterian ordination candidates on MMPI-2 Hs, Pd, Pt, and Sc scales and L, Pd, Mf, Pa, Pt, Sc, and Ma differences between Free and United Methodist groups. These results seem to indicate that Free Methodist candidates have fewer non-organic health concerns, less obsessive thoughts, positive social relationships, and more readily submit to authority when contracted with other comparative ordination candidates or ministry sample.

Két elfelejtett vers Márton Áronról

Károly Rass (1872-1962), a Roman Catholic priest serving in Turda acquired two poems about bishop Áron Márton by the doctor-poet Oszkár Bárd (1893-1942). These poems are published here.

Revisiting the Mystery of Life in the Hereafter: Reflections of Fr Augustine Urayai of Zimbabwe

The quest for knowledge regarding life after death is indispensable and paramount to most cultures and religions, including African spiritualties and mystery cults. Fr Augustine Urayai was a Roman Catholic priest and exorcist and this paper critically examines his theological reflections on death and life after death, particularly his idea of the “liminal/transitional phase” in the upward movement of spirits from earth to heaven for restoration and re-unification with God. The compulsory “liminal phase” or “zones” (magedhe) where all spirits pass through before their fate is ascertained comprises the resting, treatment, judgment, and feasting respectively. The article first examines the milieu in which Fr Urayai’s theology emerged and developed. As a way of analysis, it explores the age-old question of the immortality of the soul and its link with other religions, cultural and philosophical traditions. As it probes deeper, the article critically examines the ramifications and impact of Fr Urayai’s new theology on the Zimbabwe Christian landscape. The main argument developed in this article is that, even though Fr Urayai’s theory of life in the hereafter appears to be a breakaway from celebrated mainstream theological formulations, it has the potential to hatch useful insights into possible new areas of theological reflection in the ongoing discourses on the link between Christian anthropology and different African spiritualties.

Ідэя беларускага ўніянізму ў творчасці Казіміра Сваяка

The religious divide in Belarus between the Catholic and Orthodox churches was an important issue for many Belarusian national activists at the beginning of the 20th century. One of them was a Roman Catholic priest and writer Kazimir Svoyak (Konstantin Stepovich) who paid close attention to this topic in his writings. This article presents the concept of church union in Belarus by K. Svoyak as a part of Belarusian national idea. In his vision there is one Christian faith with one creed under the authority of the Pope of Rome but with different rituals and traditions: The Western (Roman) Christian Tradition and The Eastern (Greek) Christian Tradition. The author tries to prove that the historical mission of Belarusians is to bring Catholics and Orthodox back to unity, which will contribute to restoring national independence and bringing peaceful coexistence with the neighbouring countries. Similarities of the Belarusian unionism to the nineteenth-century ideas of messianism provide a foundation for further comparative research.

Frederick William Faber’s Sermons on the Spiritual Life: 1847-1863

Frederick William Faber (1814-1863) became a Roman Catholic priest in 1847. He founded the London Oratory and was its Provost between its foundation in April 1849 and his death. This article explores Faber’s public role as spiritual director to his congregation, through an examination of his sermons concerned specifically with private spirituality and which mention spirituality within the context of a broader sermon. Faber’s major preoccupations within these sermons will be explored, and the devotions which he encouraged his parishioners to practice, both in private and in public will be highlighted.