celebrating the life and legacy of fr max josef metzger (1887-1944) and una sancta
Fr Max Josef Metzger
(1887-1944)
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What is Una sancta ?
Una Sancta are two words taken form the Latin words of the Nicene Creed of 325 AD for the words ‘unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam’. The words mean -
‘One Holy’. Many traditional churches recite this creed every week in their own language or in Latin.
Una Sancta here refers however to the ecumenical movement started in Germany in 1938 by Catholic priest Fr Max Josef Metzger. He did not wish to form a new ‘Catholic movement’, but rather to create and inspire a Christian movement from all churches brought together to express Christian unity, to build bridges and learn of each other and thus help to create that ‘one holy’ Church. Created in the time just before the outbreak of war when Christians in Germany was still very divided, Metzger travelled the length and breadth of Germany appealing to Churches to seek to heal the wounds of the divisions caused by the Reformation. Metzger died for his convictions, both his desire for peace and to end the tragedy of WWII and his vision of a united ‘one holy’ united Church.
The Una Sancta movement did not however die with him, but carried on after the war. It grew exponentially to where there were over 10,000 active participants in groups across Germany with gatherings varying in size from 10-200.
‘One Holy’. Many traditional churches recite this creed every week in their own language or in Latin.
Una Sancta here refers however to the ecumenical movement started in Germany in 1938 by Catholic priest Fr Max Josef Metzger. He did not wish to form a new ‘Catholic movement’, but rather to create and inspire a Christian movement from all churches brought together to express Christian unity, to build bridges and learn of each other and thus help to create that ‘one holy’ Church. Created in the time just before the outbreak of war when Christians in Germany was still very divided, Metzger travelled the length and breadth of Germany appealing to Churches to seek to heal the wounds of the divisions caused by the Reformation. Metzger died for his convictions, both his desire for peace and to end the tragedy of WWII and his vision of a united ‘one holy’ united Church.
The Una Sancta movement did not however die with him, but carried on after the war. It grew exponentially to where there were over 10,000 active participants in groups across Germany with gatherings varying in size from 10-200.
What were the activities metzger suggested for una sancta?
Metzger in his study in Meitingen
Firstly, he sought to bring together local clergy from different churches on a friendly basis, so they could get to know each other personally and share some simple Christian fellowship.
Secondly Metzger sought to have public lectures on matters of faith, where two or more people from different churches would give their churches views any subject of Christian doctrine and interest, such as on the understanding of the Trinity, the role of Mary in Salvation history or the creeds. The aim of this was to discover similarities in belief as well as to be aware of any differences.
Thirdly he envisaged a smaller group of say twelve professional theologians, each from different denominations (in Germany at the time Catholics and Lutherans). Away from public gaze they would discuss theological issues that might have been the source of misunderstanding between denominations, such as the meaning of the sacraments, the role of the Papacy or the historical Creeds. The members of these groups would be carefully chosen to avoid polemics, or a ‘point scoring’ parliamentary style debate. Rather they would seek to create an irenic atmosphere, with a measure of genuine consensus and openness to each other and different points of view.
Secondly Metzger sought to have public lectures on matters of faith, where two or more people from different churches would give their churches views any subject of Christian doctrine and interest, such as on the understanding of the Trinity, the role of Mary in Salvation history or the creeds. The aim of this was to discover similarities in belief as well as to be aware of any differences.
Thirdly he envisaged a smaller group of say twelve professional theologians, each from different denominations (in Germany at the time Catholics and Lutherans). Away from public gaze they would discuss theological issues that might have been the source of misunderstanding between denominations, such as the meaning of the sacraments, the role of the Papacy or the historical Creeds. The members of these groups would be carefully chosen to avoid polemics, or a ‘point scoring’ parliamentary style debate. Rather they would seek to create an irenic atmosphere, with a measure of genuine consensus and openness to each other and different points of view.
UNA SANCTA POST WAR
Archbishop Lorenz Jaeger (1892-1975)
Following Metzger’s execution in 1944, Archbishop Lorenz Jaeger(1892-1975) of Paderborn together with his local Lutheran Bishop Wilhelm Stählin (1883-1975) decided to continue this aspect of Una Sancta. The first ecumenical meeting was thus held on 2/3 April 1946 and was followed by meetings of theologians over the years 1946-1959 with great success. It too was called 'Una Sancta'. On March 4th 1960 the Archbishop asked Pope John if such a ministry could be established in the Vatican itself. Responding to the call and shortly before the commencement of the Vatican Council itself, Pope John set up such a similar institution in the Vatican to be called initially the Secretariat, then the Council of Christian Unity, before today’s title of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity. Metzger’s vision for Una Sancta had now, through Jaeger and Pope John, reached the heart of the Vatican!
So what is Una Sancta now? |
In a sense with the establishment of the Dicastery, some of the aims of Fr Metzger and Una Sancta in Germany have been achieved. Ecumenical endeavor is at the heart of today’s Catholic Church Vatican II mission which states that that a divided Christianity "openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature.[1] One could truly say inter-church relations have never been better in any time in the period since the Reformation.
Has Una Santa thus outlived its usefulness? Una Sancta still exists in Germany where these is only on group where once there were groups in most German big cities. Una Sancta Munich and their Chairperson Gudrun Steineck help run conferences and are represented at most of the ecumenical gatherings in Germany.
[1] "Unitatis Redintegratio". Given in Rome at St. Peter's, November 21, 1964
Has Una Santa thus outlived its usefulness? Una Sancta still exists in Germany where these is only on group where once there were groups in most German big cities. Una Sancta Munich and their Chairperson Gudrun Steineck help run conferences and are represented at most of the ecumenical gatherings in Germany.
[1] "Unitatis Redintegratio". Given in Rome at St. Peter's, November 21, 1964
Una SAncta (US)
Una Sancta (US) is a new branch of Una Sancta which also seeks to ally itself with the vision of Max Josef Metzger . It has been developed by Cormac and Fiona O'Duffy, initially by the creation of a Song Cycle of Fr Max Josef Metzger's Prison poems by Cormac. Called 'Gefangnisgedichte', the work was first performed for the 100th anniversary of the Christkoenig Institute in Meitingen by the Una Sancta Choir drawn from local Catholic and Lutheran parishes. This was followed by Concerts of the work in the States at St Matthews Lutheran Church in Charlestown and in the Trappist Mepkin Abbey. Both concerts brought knowledge of the life, vision and martyrdom of Metzger to a new constituency .
The Xtra Choir of Brandenburg perform the 'Metzger' oratorio in Brandenburg Gorden Prison on April 21 2024
Most recently Cormac and Fiona helped to organise a memorial service for Metzger for the 80th anniverary of his Martyrdom on April 17th 2024. This took place in the prison in Brandenburg Germany where he was martyred and was livestreamed by the Archdiocese of Berlin. (see below)
Cormac's 'Metzger Oratorio' was also performed the Brandenburg Gorden prison several days later. It was sung by The Xtra Choir of Brandenburg under their director Karsten Drewing.
Cormac's 'Metzger Oratorio' was also performed the Brandenburg Gorden prison several days later. It was sung by The Xtra Choir of Brandenburg under their director Karsten Drewing.
Ministry of UNA SANCTA (US)
Although the ecumenical world of 2024 is vastly different from the situation in 1938 when Germany was very religiously divided, progress in creating 'One Holy' Church has been slow. Wonderful movements like the Charismatic Renewal, Cursillo and Alpha have been enormous help in bringing different churches together in worship and outreach. Nicky Gumbel the founder of Alpha and Alpha international was quick to point out his own German roots as well as the inspiration of Max Josef Metzger in the cause of unity. Nicky was interviewed by Cormac for the following video which was released on Max Josef Metzgers 80th anniversary of his martyrdom.
the augsburg 2030 project
The year 2030 marks the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession. This document which was prepared by Phillip Melanchthon was intended to create unity between the movement of Church reform which had been happening in Germany since the time of Luther and the Catholic Church. Their meeting between the Reform and the Church dis not meet with success. This was something that pained Metzger deeply. In the Catholic Hofkirche in Dresden he asked his hearers ; Why are we still separated? His experience had shown him that all Christians have so much in common that it seemed to be a crime they were separated. How might Metzger have lived and worked had he outlived the war? One can only think his aims would have been the same and he would have been delighted with the growth of the Una Sancta Brotherhood. While the issues of Christian disunity have improved greatly, the roots of the division are still in evidence and date back to the failure to agree together in 1530. Therefore in the light of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity and the Lutheran World federation's desire to examine together the Augsburg Confession and seek towards a better united future of the Churches. Cormac and Fiona have established 'Augsburg 2030!' to seek prayer for the work of common understanding of the Confession and to bring the confessions closer together.
"They are our brothers.
They will only cease to be
our brothers
when they cease to say:
Our Father "
--St Augustine