具 正謨

This article explains and analyzes the theological meaning and background of the Encyclical Letter Ecclesia De Eucharistia. This Encyclical was prormulgated on April, 17, 2003, Holy Thursday of that year, as the present Pope's 14th Encyclical. From the Pope's special intention, expressed in the document as we11 as by his personal affection for the Eucharist, we see that this is not just "another" Encyclical. This article is mainly divided into two parts. The first part describes and explains the contents of the Encyclical. The second part attempts a theological analysis. From the contents, we easily detect some defensive and conservative tones in the Pope's attitude. These tendencies are shown especially in his supporting of the hierarchical structure, in his concern about some recent ecumenical trends, and in his literal emphasis on the Thomistic terminology such as "transubstantiation" or "sacrifice." And it is true that many theologians have expressed their concern that the Pope is drawing back from the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. A careful reading of the Encyclical, however, shows that there are some authentic and positive aspects which support the true spirit of the Council. The Pope suggests that the Eucharistic mystery provides the ultimate vision for achieving the goal of Ecumenism and religious dialogue. What the Pope is concerned about is carelessness and impetuousness in our understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist. For theological interpretation, I took "reduction" or "reductionism" as a key word to understand the Pope's intention. For this analysis, I borrowed some concepts from Edward Vacek, S.J, a leading contemporary theologian. Reductionism is a way of reducing a whole reality to a certain phenomehon. The Pope sees the danger of reductionism in certain new theological ideas and pastoral Eucharistic practices. Some see the Eucharist as just an occasion for casual and fraternal companionship. Others tend to disregard the tradition of the Church and tend to see the Eucharist as an old relic. What is true is that the traditional system, structure, and theological expression still preserve the reality of what the Eucharistic mystery contains. Here I have tried to re-interpret the traditional terminologies of sacrifice, transubstantiation, and koinonia, as supporting symbols which can help to foster Ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue. Finally, I point out some theological limits as to what the Encyclical reveals. I have commented on two dimensions, namely the ecclesiological and the sacramenta1.