Uniwersytet katolicki w myśli św. Jana Pawła II i J. Ratzingera
Catholic university in the thought of Saint John Paul II and J. Ratzinger

Summary/Abstract: The article introduces two complementary visions of the university: Saint John Paul II and J. Ratzinger. John Paul II noted that the Catholic university shared with all other universities the common love of searching for the truth, exploring it and proclaiming it, but its special task - what distinguishes them - is existential unification in the intellectual work of the two orders of reality, which are too often contrasted, as if they were contradictory; these orders are, on the one hand, the search for the truth, and on the other, the certainty that the source of truth is already known. The Pope also stressed the role that Catholic universities play in the Church. The Catholic university appears as the initiator of a fruitful dialogue with people of all cultures, which lead to their enrichment and renewal through the power contained in the Gospel. This task, as the Pope pointed out, turns out to be particularly important and urgent in today’s world of rapid progress in science and technology. Cardinal J. Ratzinger made his reflections on the mission of the Catholic university in the context of contrasting academicism with utilitarianism and pragmatism. He pointed to the basic elements constituting the university. They are: dialogue, truth, freedom to the truth and service to the truth. In addition Ratzinger showed and explained the inseparable connection between academicism and contemplation (including contemplation of the supreme being - God) and the importance of both of them in the full realization of human existence.

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