Why Gaps Matter—A Negative Hermeneutical Approach to the Reconciliation Process in the Diocese of British Columbia Based on the Example of Bishop Logan's “Sacred Journey”

Abstract

This essay delves into the utilization of a negative hermeneutical approach, focusing on gaps, tensions, and the absence of elements, to enrich our comprehension of reconciliation efforts. It posits that this method aids in discerning more and less appropriate approaches to reconciliation processes. Negative hermeneutics serves as both a technique and an ongoing journey of exploration, self-assessment, and understanding our connection with otherness. By critically engaging with perspectives, it prompts deeper questions and fosters a heightened awareness of the limitations inherent in one's viewpoint. Drawing from examples within the ongoing “Reconciliation and Beyond” initiative of the diocese of British Columbia, specifically Bishop Logan's “Sacred Journey,” the essay illustrates how this approach holds potential. It demonstrates how a focus on negative aspects—those initially resistant to conventional academic scrutiny, like silence and materiality—offers valuable insights into critical practices and academic implications. Furthermore, the essay analyses how a hermeneutical process involving receiving, deconstructing, and recreating can introduce innovative perspectives for understanding reconciliation efforts.