By Virginia Saldanha
Mumbai, January 9,2025 : Pope Francis, ever the Reformer, encouraged the gathering of theologians at the Congress on the Future of Theology, Legacy & Envisioning, to make shifts in our way of thinking – “The desire is that theology helps us to rethink how to think”. He compared theology to light. Light makes things visible. “It works humbly and quietly so that the Light of Christ and the Gospels can emerge.”
“All theology is born of friendship with Christ and love for his brothers, his sisters and his world: this world, at once magnificent and tragic, filled with overwhelming beauty but also great suffering” he pointed out.
The officials of the Dicastery of Education and Culture who organized the Congress reminded us that we live in terrible times; war, poverty, social and political conflict and violence that poisons relationships. We were exhorted to embrace differences, risk to obey the Spirit and build fraternal communion with all as communion in truth is ecclesial communion. We were encouraged to give the world the sign of Pentecost and build a common vision as it is a task for building solutions to problems.
For a Synodal Church, a theological reading of concrete experiences is required and the Congress was a first step in a common path.
The deliberations also focused on the importance of making theology relevant to reality. This was reflected in the sharing from different continents.
“For theology to carry forward the transformative power of the Gospel in Africa, it must be contextual, inclusive, ecumenical, interreligious, intercultural, transdisciplinary, political and address African realities. To do African theology, therefore, assumes a web of relationships in the striving for wholeness among the inhabitants of the earth, our common home, for the flourishing of all”, said Sr. Caroline HHCJ of Nigeria.
Prof. Ruben Mendoza, Philippines, pointed to the FABC model of triple dialogue – with other religions, cultures, and the poor of Asia. “The challenge for the church is to sincerely listen and learn. The Asian bishops recognized the need to learn from the various ways of life of our peoples, to be enriched by the teachings and practices of Asian religious traditions, to listen to the voices of those on the margins and in line with Laudato Si’, a move away from a highly anthropocentric and androcentric understanding of creation. Listening and learning from the Other is at the heart of becoming a synodal church.”
“After Vatican II theology engaged with local indigenous people. Women studied theology. Australia has its own cultural and theological roots in indigenous culture and theology has expanded to address social and human concerns” explained Robin from Australia.
Michele from France, pointed out that Academic theology is taught in seminaries while Europe is trying to identify a theology of the People of God in the context of ‘wokeism’ as well as Laudato Si.
North America is a continent of contrasts, with very rich and very poor; violence and assault on migrants and LGBTQ+ persons. There are 230 Catholic Colleges and Universities in the USA, 20 in Canada and 10 in Mexico. Many teach and publish, advocate for a more just world, with a commitment to migrants and women” shared Nancy Pineda-Madrid.
Carlos from Argentina who spoke for Latin America pointed out that the social situation pushes them to do theology from the heart. It is a theology that is inculturated with an option for the poor.
Prof. Gabriella from Lebanon pointed out that in West Asia their theology is Apologetic due to its proximity with Judaism and Islam. Catholic Eastern Churches also face various challenges.
Pope Francis reminded us that his Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium suggests inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches. They will not merge but become alliances of theology as everything is connected and related. The cosmos is a web of connections.
.
Professionals in the field of Music, Science, Literature and a Film producer shared how their respective disciplines have profound connections with the divine. Through a live musical presentation, we experienced how the harmony and transcendental capacity of music enlightens and when transformed by the light of Christ can challenge us. Dialogue between theology and other disciplines is important.
We were introduced to non-theological reasoning like story-telling in the African context; and ‘theological interruption’ when the Word of God resonates within us and we are challenged to step out of our world to listen to God leading to the transfiguration of ourselves. James Keenan S.J. recounted six moments in reality that help us think outside the box. He focused on grief and grieving especially in the context of our present reality of wars, violence, authoritarianism, destruction of nature, and God as vulnerable to the grieving of people. Discussing the painting “The Throne of Grace” which depicts God holding Jesus crucified, he demonstrated how paintings can speak to us theologically.
It was affirmed that theology is at the service of faith, it humanizes, communicates the mystery of Jesus Christ, and has a prophetic dimension. Theology is the action of God with us transforming existence. Theology is a contemplative discipline that involves a deep listening and reflection. It is related to life/people with the Word of God as a mirror for reflection of reality. We need to assert the power of faith to shape reality. Interpretation of reality depends on our relationship to that reality. In realizing our point of view we understand better as our perspectives come from our knowledge.
Czech theologian Thomas Halik concluded by pointing to the need for shifts from Catholicism to Catholicity, from Synodality to interdependence for all humans and the planet. He said Theology should regain new hermeneutics according to the signs of the time using creativity and art. He suggested that the next step should be an Ecumenical Synod of theologians as a sacrament of unity.
The Indian delegates expressed regret that no Indian theologian was asked to make a presentation. Topics related to Gen Z like the digital world and Artificial Intelligence; as well as the relevance of Basic Ecclesial Communities to our Faith life were missed.