Theology of the Church II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Theology of the Church II - Essay Example ighlighted by Dules include liturgy renewal, emphasizing the sacristy of the scriptures, reevaluation on the concept of authority, religious liberty, and acceptance of the world. McCormick (3), concentrated on moral theology that was a part of institutional models. The attributes of moral theology were confession-based, sin-centered, seminary-controlled, and magisterium-dominated. Until the 19th century, the Catholic Church was a hierarchical society that was under the leadership of the Pope as the successor of Peter. Inspired by the realization that Christians were capable of affiliating with true church in varying ways, Pope Pius XII in mystici Corporis introduced the concept of mystical body theology. The emphasis by Pius XII was on visible and invisible unity as the body of Christ. The mystical body is identified as the Catholic Church and no one would be a true member of the mystical body without being a member of the Roman Catholic Church (Vatican Council II #64 907). In addition, members of the mystical body had to be bound by faith, sacrament, and obedience in order to partake the Holy communion. Vatican II however emphasized the image of the people of God and its development to imply hierarchical and institutional structures. However, there were no detriments to its authority. However, Vatican Council II distanced itself from referring to the Catholi c church subsist in the Church of Christ thereby Leaving room for other Christian communities (Dulles 430). One weakness of the institutional model is in the tensions arising between the church as a mystical communion of grace and friendly interpersonal relationships. As a social organization, the church needs of charisma are crucial in understanding the tensions intrinsic in the humans and theological tasks of the church. The church needs charismatic priests and this is only achievable through clarification of the needs of priests as humans hence their role on church as an institution (Dulles