290 process and the debate on this sensitive topic. An overview of the history of the ecumenical movement to which the Roman Catholic Church has committed itself irrevocably since Vatican II (1.1) is followed by an analysis of the current intermediate stage in the process. From the perspectives of spiritual ecumenism and receptive ecumenism, the question of sharing the Eucharist becomes ever more urgent (1.2). Fierce international debate following an initiative of German bishops to extend Eucharistic hospitality more generously towards non-Catholic spouses in mixed marriages illustrates the status quaestionis of the discussion as well as the sensitive nature of the topic. Analyzing the proposal and its opposition make clear that sharing the Eucharist is often exclusively perceived as a pastoral solution to individual spiritual needs and not as a resource for the promotion of Christian unity (1.3). Referring to Taizé and Bose, I propose integrating empirical research studying actual experiences with Eucharistic hospitality into the debate (1.4). In addition to the German case study, the chapter briefly lists other recent contributions to the discussion, some of which also depart from practical theological presuppositions (1.5). Having established the relevance of examining the practices of Taizé and Bose in the first chapter, Chapter 2 explores how this concrete reality can be studied and articulated to become a meaningful voice in the theological discourse. The research object is defined as the theological rationale embedded in the practice of Eucharistic hospitality as articulated by members of Taizé and Bose, in which the Roman Catholic Church extends Eucharistic hospitality towards the nonCatholic monastics, inspired at least partially by ecumenical motives (2.1) Departing from the concept of the loci theologici and the model of the four voices of theology, the argument is made that the implicit operant theology is underrepresented in the debate about Eucharistic hospitality. Qualitative empirical research is needed to reconstruct this theological rationale, which is what the current study intends to provide (2.2). Based on these methodological presuppositions, specific qualitative methods (especially narrative interviewing as the backbone of this empirical study) are introduced (2.3), followed by a detailed account of the empirical process (2.4). The chapter is concluded by a synopsis of its aims, questions, and methods (2.5).
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