From November 19th to 20th, 2024 (9 AM, Aula Magna Giovanni Paolo II), the International Congress on Lumen Gentium 60 Years After: The Church as Mystery, Communion, and Mission took place to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the publication of this Constitution.
Organized collaboratively by Pontificia Università della Santa Croce, Universidad de Navarra, Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II, and Facoltà di Teologia di Lugano, the congress adopted historical and systematic perspectives.
The first day offered an opportunity to delve into the historical development of ecclesiology up to Vatican II, with a specific focus on the drafting of Lumen Gentium. This included an examination of the conciliar debate on collegiality, the significance of the People of God, the role of the laity, and the constitution of the hierarchy. Additionally, the post-conciliar period’s impact on ecclesiology and the varied interpretations of Lumen Gentium were explored.
On the second day, our approach shifted to a more systematic analysis, centering on the categories of People of God and communion as well as their relationship with synodality. Emphasis was placed on highlighting the messianic and communitarian dimensions of the Church, exploring interpretations based on baptismal foundations and Eucharistic ecclesiology of communion. The concept of the Church as a network of Eucharistic communities, with liturgical celebration as the apex of ecclesiality, was examined. The presentations culminated in a discussion of synodality, a concept championed by Pope Francis in recent times.
Sezione: