The Interpretation of the Eucharist in the Lima-Paper Cover Image

Az eukarisztia értelmezése a Limai Dokumentumban
The Interpretation of the Eucharist in the Lima-Paper

Author(s): Korinna Zamfir
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai

Summary/Abstract: One of the most important convergence-documents of the ecumenical dialogue, issued by the World Council of Churches is the one finalized by the Faith and Order committee in 1982, and called Baptism, Eucharist, Ministry (BEM). The Lima Paper deals with three major topics of the ecumenical theology, basic for any ecclesial and sacramental communion. Its elaboration supposed several decades of preparatory discussions, and in its present form reflects mostly the work of the Groupe des Dombes and the theological approach of fr. Max Thurian from the Taizé Community. It includes the work and understanding of Protestant and Catholic theologians, as well as the consultations with Orthodox theologians. Although the document published 20 years ago didn’t loose its theological importance, after some official responses to BEM sent by local Churches, the reception process practically died. The importance of this document consists in a real convergence regarding standpoints that for centuries seemed impossible to reconcile, and had a Church dividing effect. The Lima Paper sees the Eucharist in the context of the meals that Jesus shared during his earthly ministry and after his resurrection, as a sign of solidarity, self-giving love and eschatological hope. The Eucharist becomes the sacramental expression of his whole self-giving existence, of his reconciling approach to human persons. His Last Supper cannot be separated from the Jewish Pesach feast, that commemorates and makes actual God’s saving love, become evident in the new covenant of Jesus, and showing forward to the fulfilment at the Supper of the Lamb. The Document analyses the Eucharist from a Trinitarian, ecclesiological and eschatological perspective, in the light of ancient eucharistic prayers: thanksgiving (eucharistia) to the Father, anamnesis or memorial of Christ, invocation of the Spirit, communion of the faithful and meal of the Kingdom. The main issues interpreted in a converging understanding are the real presence of Christ, not only of his person, but of his whole redeeming life, the concept of memorial/ anamnesis, seen not as a simple recalling in mind of past truths, but in the light of biblical zikkaron, meaning an actualisation of the remembered events, and a continual, effective presence. These two main issues contribute to a better understanding of the eucharistic presence, and may lead to a common interpretation of the Catholic teaching regarding the Eucharist as sacrifice: i.e. not a repetition of Christ’s unique and complete sacrifice on the cross, but an actual, effective presence of this unique event in the act of memorial. No concrete agreement is reached in the question of how Christ is present, but the real presence is several times expressed. In my study I try to show, that even in the Catholic Church there are tendencies to express in more suitable ways the transformation taking place in the eucharistic celebration (real symbol, transsignification, transfinalisation), an

  • Issue Year: 2002
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 109-134
  • Page Count: 26
  • Language: Hungarian