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Document Details :

Title: Evangelisatie tussen vernieuwing & conservatisme
Subtitle: Nieuwe bewegingen in de Rooms-Katholieke Kerk
Author(s): VERSTRAETEN, Johan
Journal: Tijdschrift voor Theologie
Volume: 50    Issue: 4   Date: 2010   
Pages: 431-447
DOI: 10.2143/TVT.50.4.3203452

Abstract :
Since the synod on the laity (1987), new movements have become a prominent power factor in the Catholic Church. We can understand their emergence against the background of the Second Vatican Council's all-inclusive ecclesiology, the spiritual renewal (including charismatic renewal) and the ideological vacuum after the student revolt. The article describes several of the movements' characteristics, but also draws attention to their paradoxical character. Their all-inclusive ecclesiology is sometimes at odds with their support for Roman centralisation. Their theology does not always keep apace with their creative practice, a practice that both rejects (J.B. Metz' lived faith) and accepts (according to J. Comblin this concerns mainly the international middle class) the mainstream. Yet one can appreciate them for many reasons, among which are their attention for neglected areas of pastoral work (young people, universities, professionals), their evangelic vigour and their direct contact with the poor, even though this is often linked with a lack of attention for justice and the systemic aspects of problems.

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