Jacek Salij
Encyclopedia
Jacek Salij OP
(born 19 August 1942, Budy, Wołyń
) is a Polish
theologian and Thomist
, philosopher
, Roman Catholic
priest
, Dominican
, translator, writer and publicist.
at The Dominican Philosophical-Theological College in Cracow
, followed by studies during the years 1968-1970 at The Academy of Catholic Theology in Warsaw
. In 1971, he obtained the title Doctor of Law
and obtained a post-doctorate diploma (Habilitation
) in 1979. In 1984, he worked at The Catholic University of Leuven
(Belgium
). In 1990, he was appointed extraordinary professor of The Academy of Catholic Theology, Warsaw
and in 1992 became an ordinary professor of this institution.
At present, he is Director of the Chair of Dogmatic Theology at the University of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski
(UKSW, formerly the Academy of Catholic Theology in Warsaw
) and Consultant to the Section of Theological Studies in the Polish episcopate's Commission for the Teaching of the Faith. He lectures in dogmatic theology
at the UKSW and at the Dominican Philosophical-Theological College in the Służew district of Warsaw.
He is a member of the Committee for Theological Studies of PAN
and of the Polish section of the PEN Club.
The chief areas of his scientific interests are: history of dogmas, dogmatic theology, theology of God, philosophy of St. Thomas and scholasticism
, ethics
and bioethics
. He is the author of many books, scientific dissertations and translations.
He contributes regularly to the monthly "W drodze" ("On the Way"), where for the last 30 years he has been running a column entitled "For Those Seeking the Way", in which he replies to various questions posed by the readers. This popular presentation of the Faith has become the basis for the publication of many of his books that give answers to the most burning questions of today.
On the 3 of May 2007, The President of the Republic of Poland
, Lech Kaczyński
, awarded Fr Jacek Salij with the Commander’s Cross with Star of Order of Poland Reborn
.
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
(born 19 August 1942, Budy, Wołyń
Volhynia
Volhynia, Volynia, or Volyn is a historic region in western Ukraine located between the rivers Prypiat and Southern Bug River, to the north of Galicia and Podolia; the region is named for the former city of Volyn or Velyn, said to have been located on the Southern Bug River, whose name may come...
) is a Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
theologian and Thomist
Thomism
Thomism is the philosophical school that arose as a legacy of the work and thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, philosopher, theologian, and Doctor of the Church. In philosophy, his commentaries on Aristotle are his most lasting contribution...
, philosopher
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
, translator, writer and publicist.
Biography
During the years 1960-1967 he studied theologyTheology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at The Dominican Philosophical-Theological College in Cracow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, followed by studies during the years 1968-1970 at The Academy of Catholic Theology in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
. In 1971, he obtained the title Doctor of Law
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
and obtained a post-doctorate diploma (Habilitation
Habilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
) in 1979. In 1984, he worked at The Catholic University of Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
(Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
). In 1990, he was appointed extraordinary professor of The Academy of Catholic Theology, Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
and in 1992 became an ordinary professor of this institution.
At present, he is Director of the Chair of Dogmatic Theology at the University of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski
Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw
Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw is a state university in Warsaw. It was founded 1999 and is named after Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński.- History :...
(UKSW, formerly the Academy of Catholic Theology in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
) and Consultant to the Section of Theological Studies in the Polish episcopate's Commission for the Teaching of the Faith. He lectures in dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology is that part of theology dealing with the theoretical truths of faith concerning God and his works, especially the official theology recognized by an organized Church body, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Dutch Reformed Church, etc...
at the UKSW and at the Dominican Philosophical-Theological College in the Służew district of Warsaw.
He is a member of the Committee for Theological Studies of PAN
Polish Academy of Sciences
The Polish Academy of Sciences, headquartered in Warsaw, is one of two Polish institutions having the nature of an academy of sciences.-History:...
and of the Polish section of the PEN Club.
The chief areas of his scientific interests are: history of dogmas, dogmatic theology, theology of God, philosophy of St. Thomas and scholasticism
Scholasticism
Scholasticism is a method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics of medieval universities in Europe from about 1100–1500, and a program of employing that method in articulating and defending orthodoxy in an increasingly pluralistic context...
, ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
and bioethics
Bioethics
Bioethics is the study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. Bioethicists are concerned with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, law, and philosophy....
. He is the author of many books, scientific dissertations and translations.
He contributes regularly to the monthly "W drodze" ("On the Way"), where for the last 30 years he has been running a column entitled "For Those Seeking the Way", in which he replies to various questions posed by the readers. This popular presentation of the Faith has become the basis for the publication of many of his books that give answers to the most burning questions of today.
Awards
In 2004, during the 10th Fair for Catholic Publishers, he obtained the FENIKS 2004 award "for the tireless popularisation of theological knowledge in Poland in various publications”On the 3 of May 2007, The President of the Republic of Poland
President of the Republic of Poland
The President of the Republic of Poland is the Polish head of state. His or her rights and obligations are determined in the Constitution of Poland....
, Lech Kaczyński
Lech Kaczynski
Lech Aleksander Kaczyński was Polish lawyer and politician who served as the President of Poland from 2005 until 2010 and as Mayor of Warsaw from 2002 until 22 December 2005. Before he became a president, he was also a member of the party Prawo i Sprawiedliwość...
, awarded Fr Jacek Salij with the Commander’s Cross with Star of Order of Poland Reborn
Polonia Restituta
The Order of Polonia Restituta is one of Poland's highest Orders. The Order can be conferred for outstanding achievements in the fields of education, science, sport, culture, art, economics, defense of the country, social work, civil service, or for furthering good relations between countries...
.