A THEOLOGY OF THE CHURCH FOR THE FUTURE: A PARTICIPATORY CHURCH OF EQUAL DISCIPLESHIP
Keywords:
Democratic Church, Discipleship of Equals, Laity, Ministerial Priesthood, Participatory Church, Role of Women in the Church, Royal Priesthood, Sensus Fidei, Sensus Fidelium, Transparency in the ChurchAbstract
Even after fifty years, the Second Vatican Council inspires us to build
up a more participatory Church of equal discipleship. This paper,
beginning with an overview of the pre-Vatican II ecclesiology, shows
how the Second Vatican Council brought about revolutionary changes
in the theology of the Church. Following this, the paper points out a
few areas where changes might be required for becoming a more
participatory Church. It is argued that we need a Church free of
clericalism, a Church which is more participatory and democratic. Only
if the faithful get the opportunity for active participation in the life of
the Church they will have a sense of belongingness. The process
undertaken by the two sessions of the Synod on the Family gives the
hope that the participatory model can still prevail in the Church.
Similarly, the Church of the future should ensure equal discipleship of
men and women. In spite of the recognition in theory of the equal
dignity of women, in practice, women continue to be discriminated.The Church should ensure that women receive equal opportunities to
work for the good of the community and glory of God as equal
partners.
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