At this online symposium of the Karl-Rahner-Academy in Cologne for the Catholic commissioners and ecumenical advisors as well as professional representatives of ecumenism in the dioceses and regional churches in North Rhine-Westphalia on 3 November 2021, Protestant and Catholic perspectives were explored from a systematic-theological and pastoral-theological perspective. A first approach to the topic from a communication-sociological perspective was given by Dr. Anna Neumaier, Center for Applied Pastoral Research (ZAP) in Bochum under the title “Contextualization of the topic in the digital age - religion sociological aspects and perspectives on digitalization in the corona pandemic.” For the Institute, Dr. Frank Zeeb participated with a presentation on “Digital Communion between Real Presence and Symbol.” He gave a brief overview of the biblical and Reformation foundations, recalling that from a Protestant perspective, according to the “Nihil habet” rule from the Formula of Concord (SD VII, 85: Nihil habet rationem sacramenti extra usum a Christo institutum or extra actionem divinitus institutam. That is: “Nothing has the character of a sacrament apart from the use instituted by Christ, ”)or apart from the divinely instituted action”) the celebration of Holy Communion is to be done “according to the institution by Christ.” He explained that according to the New Testament and the early church, this does not mean a uniform liturgy or uniform rites. Since there were already different forms in the first congregations, the term “consecrated” should not be applied without further ado to modern forms of communication and media. Rather, these should be questioned in terms of content and theology as to whether they are “according to the institution by Christ.” He exemplified this on the basis of the terms “body,” “communion” and “gift.” Finally, he argued that the Lord’s Supper, in contrast to some purely consumptive formats, is fundamentally interactive and must be related to a community that is not constituted exclusively according to human criteria. He warned against neglecting the theological question of truth or even promoting church-political concerns by referring to alleged or actual pastoral needs. As an example, he cited the concept of congregation. Based on an analysis of current forms of digital communion, he developed some criteria to be considered in further discussion. The main lecture from a Roman Catholic perspective was given by Prof. Dr. Martin Stufflesser, liturgical scholar in Würzburg. He reminded the audience of some of the cornerstones of the Second Vatican Council concerning liturgy and the mass: the liturgical effects of the Corona crisis have not yet been sufficiently considered. In any case, it was the will of the Council to promote active participation in the Eucharist and to avoid the phenomenon of “mute outsiders.” Especially in these times, liturgy can also have a diaconal function, which also puts traditional forms such as home services etc. in a new light. In small groups, participants shared their experiences with such new forms. “Ecumenical results” were not formulated, especially since the study day served primarily for the purpose of mutual information and reflection.
The main lecture from a Roman Catholic perspective was given by Prof. Dr. Martin Stufflesser, liturgical scholar in Würzburg. He reminded the audience of some of the cornerstones of the Second Vatican Council concerning liturgy and the mass: the liturgical effects of the Corona crisis have not yet been sufficiently considered. In any case, it was the will of the Council to promote active participation in the Eucharist and to avoid the phenomenon of “mute outsiders.” Especially in these times, liturgy can also have a diaconal function, which also puts traditional forms such as home services etc. in a new light.
In small groups, participants shared their experiences with such new forms. “Ecumenical results” were not formulated, especially since the study day served primarily for the purpose of mutual information and reflection.