Catholicity on Trial: Ecclesiological Reflections on Unity and Diversity in the Global Catholic Church
Catholicity on Trial: Ecclesiological Reflections on Unity and Diversity in the Global Catholic Church

Summary/Abstract: During the period of European colonialism, the Catholic Church underwent a process of global expansion which was characterised by a tendency towards uniformity dominated by the Latin Church and its capital, Rome. However, the end of colonialism and the subsequent Second Vatican Council saw the Church become inculturated into diverse religious and social contexts, making the issue of unity and diversity within the Catholic Church imperative. The key questions are: how much unity is necessary, and how much diversity can be tolerated, to preserve the unity of the Catholic Church on a global scale? Focusing on ecclesiological reflections, this essay analyses the Final Document of the 16th Ordinary Synod of Bishops in terms of its attitude towards unity and diversity within the Catholic Church. What possible consequences might the Synodal Journey of the global church have for its institutions and structures? Since, according to Lumen Gentium, the Church is a complex reality consisting of institutional and spiritual elements (LG 8), the relationship between the truth of the Gospel and the identity of the Church can be examined from a sociological perspective in order to develop a comprehensive understanding. The article argues that that the sacramental structure of the Church (LG 1) justifies the implementation of “secular” elements into its structures, when enabling it to fulfil its mission of spreading the Gospel into different cultures more effectively.

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