Semper Purificanda: Accounting for Ecclesial Deformity with Bernard Lonergan

Abstract

The Christian churches often not only fall short of their noble ambitions, but actively perpetuate harm. This reality must be squarely faced, and a cogent theological account of this deformity must be forthcoming, otherwise the ecclesiological enterprise will fail. This essay turns to the thought of Bernard Lonergan in order to develop a theological account of ecclesial deformity, by articulating a framework for relating ecclesiological ideals and the empirical reality of actual churches. Both the ideal and the empirical are required for an adequate ecclesiology, for either, in isolation, fails to truly describe the church as it actually exists. This sets the stage for the churches to undertake the work of beginning to correct their ills.