Cross Communion Paradigm: A Liberation Theology Framework of the Catholic Church Appropriating "See, Judge, Act" Methodology

Christopher Esparagoza

doi:10.57106/scientia.v14i2.208

Authors

Christopher Esparagoza University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9486-9287

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57106/scientia.v14i2.208

Keywords:

Cross Communion, liberation theology, dualistic dilemma, verticalism, horizontalism

Abstract

Liberation theology is considered a significant theological movement emanating from Vatican II. However, there are diverse evaluations of the theology, particularly those that have been critiqued and rejected in general by ecclesial authorities. Nevertheless, a Church-aligned liberation theology is often overlooked, and this paper will present an approach patterned to the Church's framework utilizing the Cross Communion Paradigm. The method will be derived from the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the Cross: the vertical aspect pertains to communion with God and its spiritual, magisterial, and transcendental dimensions, and the horizontal aspect to communion with society and its sociological, temporal, and historical dimensions. This will be linked to the "see, judge, act" approach following a theological development of the framework based on Scriptures, St. Thomas Aquinas, Joseph Cardijn, and in Mater et Magistra, then its aspects to the Cross Communion Paradigm form of liberation theology. The elaboration will also relate to existing concepts, pastoral messages, and activities being done by the Church in the Philippines, providing concrete examples as an application of the paradigm of liberation theology. Integrally, the framework can be applied not only to addressing preferential love for the poor but also in reference to the role of the Church in politics, social media, and Catholic education.

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