1517 is the year of the Reformation and, in its subsequent symbolic interpretation as an era or epoch borderline, is, from a (Central) European view point, unquestionably, one of the most important years in world history.
The memorial culture considers this year to be a theological-historically great event. However, in Church history, the year 1517, in which Luther’s “posting of his theses” occurred, is merely one event amongst many throughout a great number of years that greatly shaped the further development of (Christianity’s) history. For Church history is full of greater and smaller, longer and shorter moments of reformist potential, though these oftentimes exhibited clear substantial and political parallels, which were not always attributed the same explosive and lasting impact as was the Reformation. They were radical, silent, and clandestine; they represented the interests of the state, and did not always possess explosive and lasting characteristics.
These would include the following examples (which are by no means exhaustive):
- The development of ascetic monasticism
- The development of the imperial church
- Monasteries and monastic life as a church reform
- The Hussites
- The Protestant Reformations and their consequences
- The “Counter Reformation” and its manifold effects and their reception
- Answers to the “Age of Secularization”
- Vatican II.
These few examples are meant only to demonstrate the broadness of the field of Church history, within which reformist potential should be sought. The scientific interest, which exists 500 years after Martin Luther sent a letter containing his theses to his bishop, however, goes far beyond the regional and temporal aspects of the Reformation’s impact. It concerns a broader and more comparative access, which, through the analysis of individual events as well as in its overview, allows perspectives, idiosyncrasies, and the interrelatedness between the Christian denominations to become apparent. This will help to avert the gaze from purely (Central) European, interdenominational viewpoints and instead keep an open mind for global perspectives.
The choice of location – Salzburg – is also relevant to this topic: Whether it be in reminiscence of the former confessor of Martin Luther, the later Abbot of St. Peter in Salzburg, whether it be in remembrance of the last expulsion of Protestants in the German-speaking areas by Archbishop Firmian, or the analysis of the state-enlightening work of Archbishop Colloredo, or the first diocesan synod in Austria after the Second Vatican Council – there are points of contact of which their local colors go far beyond the borders of Salzburg.
Contributions, which, in a comparative, regional, and (or) supra-regional manner, are dedicated to the analysis of the topic “Ecclesia/Religio Semper reformanda” are also sought after.
Proposals should have max. 500 words.
Language of the conference: english
Lectures: 20 min
It’s planned to publish selected contributions (english / french / german).