Do Vaticanum II głównym celem misji było zbawienie ludzi, którzy nie wierzyli w Chrystusa. Uznanie przez Sobór obecności elementów prawdy, dobrej i autentycznej świętości w religiach zrodziło pytanie o sens misji w nowym świetle. Rezultatem było nowoczesne odejście od zbawczego eklezjocentryzmu i powrót do chrystocentryzmu w teologii. W świetle współczesnej teologii religii do zbawienia nie jest konieczne formalne członkostwo w Kościele. Celem misji jest jednak przede wszystkim plantatio Ecclesiae. Obecność Kościoła jako przekaziciela objawienia i pośrednika zbawczej łaski jest konieczna dla pełnego zbawienia świata. Jego rola jest analogiczna do roli Chrystusa i wyczerpuje się w byciu powszechnym sakramentem zbawienia dla całej ludzkości, tj. w jednoczeniu ludzi z Bogiem i między sobą.

The Goal of the Missionary Activity of the Church in the Light of Contemporary Theology of Religion

Up to Vatican II, the main goal of the mission was the salvation of people who did not believe in Christ. The Council’s recognition of the presence of elements of truth, good and authentic holiness in religions posed a question about the sense of mission in a new light. The result was modern departure from salvific ecclesiocentricism and return to christocentrism in theology. In the light of modern theology of religion, no formal membership of the Church is necessary for salvation. The mission’s purpose, however, is first and foremost plantatio Ecclesiae. The Church’s presence as a trader of revelation and mediator of saving grace is necessary for the full salvation of the world. Role of the Church is analogous to the role of Christ himself and is exhausted in being a universal sacrament of salvation for all humanity, i.e. in uniting people with God and among themselves.

Up to Vatican II, the main goal of the mission was the salvation of people who did not believe in Christ. The Council’s recognition of the presence of elements of truth, good and authentic holiness in religions posed a question about the sense of mission in a new light. The result was modern departure from salvific ecclesiocentricism and return to christocentrism in theology. In the light of modern theology of religion, no formal membership of the Church is necessary for salvation. The mission’s purpose, however, is first and foremost plantatio Ecclesiae. The Church’s presence as a trader of revelation and mediator of saving grace is necessary for the full salvation of the world. Role of the Church is analogous to the role of Christ himself and is exhausted in being a universal sacrament of salvation for all humanity, i.e. in uniting people with God and among themselves.