Zusammenfassung / Abstract
Bernardus Ribera OP (1684–1777): A Thomistic Ecumenist between Moscow and Vienna” – Bernardus Ribera, a Dominican friar from Barcelona, resided in Russia from 1727 to 1730 as chaplain to the Spanish ambassador, the Duke of Liria and Xerica. During this period, Ribera strove for a sincere dialogue with the Russian Orthodox, based on the conviction that there were only minimal differences between Latin Catholics and Russian Orthodox Christians in matters of faith, and with great respect for liturgical, devotional, and other traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church. After completing his mission in Moscow, he lived in Vienna. There he published two works with which he wanted to contribute to the rapprochement of the two churches and at the same time strengthen a common defence against the influence of Protestant heterodoxy. The article reconstructs the biography of Bernardus Ribera and provides insight into his work, Echo fidei. Despite its polemical anti-Protestant elements, this writing demonstrates the Dominican’s profound systematic and historical-theological training and proves him to be a Thomist theologian capable of dialogue.