Ecclesial grammar today is shaped by terms such as inclusivity, diversity, the “spirit,” and “being pastoral.” At times, these terms have arisen through the unconscious adoption of the framework of liberation theology, particularly its Marxist flavor.
One may find a politicization of the faith through praxis, an exclusive focus on the pastoral dimension of the faith, the paradigm of the people of God as the primary prism through which to view the Church, and an elusive understanding of the spirit. While not as explicit as in times past, the use of this approach to theology is wending itself back into Catholic academia—and at times can even be heard from voices within the hierarchy. It is worth examining its history and practical impact.
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