MAX JOSEF METZGER (1887-1944), UN PIONIERE DELL’ECUMENISMO CATTOLICO IN GERMANIA

The study relates to the personality of M.J. Metzger, as one of the relevant protagonist of the ecumenical movement in Germany striving to build a path to the unity of the church on theological and practical level. The study approaches his participation by founding of the ecumenical fraternity Una Sancta, organization of ecumenical dialogs in Meitingen with the intention to consider fundamental ecclesiological topics among the theologians and believers of other Christian churches. At last it is mentioned his courageous step – the letter to the Pope Pius XII, in which he underlines the co-responsibility of Christians in the process of reconciliation of church and at the same time he critically describes the attitude of the Catholic Church to the ecumenism. Our scope is accentuate the prophetical Metzger’s view perceiving ecumenism as a part of the inner nature of the Church, and whose reform should culminate in calling the council, which also expects other Christian churches.