Johann Michael Sailer (1751-1832) and his interdenominational "circles". A new description of the theological-generative potential of these "epicentres" of practical theological theory formation and practice design
Johann Michael Sailer - who was described by Pope John Paul II as the "Doctor of the Church of Europe" - is a central figure in the history of pastoral theology and church practice in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The sustainability and widespread dissemination of his innovative theological approaches beyond the Catholic Church in the German-speaking world is largely due to the various "circles" or "schools" in which these new perspectives were taken up and further developed. For a practical theological ecclesiology, it could therefore be beneficial to undertake a precise analysis of the enormous theological-generative potential of these "circles" in order to uncover both narrow perspectives on the perception of the Catholic Church in the period in question and to gain inspiration for current practical theological challenges. Although the "Sailer circles" have already been discussed many times in individual accounts in previous Sailer research, a closer look reveals "blind spots": Firstly, the role of the laity in these circles has only been insufficiently reflected upon; revealing source editions have recently been published in this area, which must be categorised in an overall view. Secondly, women were also involved in these cross-denominational circles, although their contribution to the practical theological reorientation has so far only been recognised to a limited extent! In addition to a review of the source material already described, the corpus of Sailer's letters to Auguste Eleonore zu Stolberg-Wernigerode (approx. 400 documents) must be analysed in its entirety for Sailer research. This overall view will then enable a much more differentiated picture of this cross-confessional practical theological theorising and practice formation in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Start: 01.10.2016
End: 30.09.2019
Project management: Apl. Prof. Dr Peter Scheuchenpflug
Realisation: PD Dr Gabriele Zieroff