Benedictional Ecclesiology: Renewal of the Church from Worship Experiences?

Abstract

The article was written as a conversation between Dogmatics and Liturgical Studies. It asks what kind of self-understanding of the church becomes visible in the blessing ceremonies that have been newly adopted in recent years. In the background, there are considerations that such liturgical celebrations shape the image of the Church in time and society. At the same time, it is discussed how such new liturgical celebrations develop traditional concepts of ecclesiology. The blessing ceremonies discussed below, such as the blessing of couples on Valentine’s Day or the blessing of same-sex couples, are not regulated by the official Church. They are part of a changing liturgical practice from the ecclesial base. This development of the Church on a practical and theoretical level deserves theological reflection. Here God’s message of salvation is proclaimed in new liturgical formats. In these liturgies, Christians approach a changing society with the liturgy. The theological discussion about such celebrations is gaining importance in German theology. It is also reflected in the dioceses which are opening up to the inner-church reform process. In particular, it plays a role in the Synodaler Weg, which has recently begun in Germany, a process of reform within the Church.

Keywords

• ecclesiology
• blessing
• blessing ceremony
• new liturgical formats
• liturgical theology