Verso una nuova teologia della missione

Abstract

This article deals with the transformations which have come about in the theology of mission over the last fifty years. In the first place it recalls the separation from the previous theology and it indicates where this came about both in the scrapping of the de missionibus Commission’s text in the Council’s third session, and in the failed agreement between Western and Afro-Asian positions in the Synod of 1974. In part two, the article analyzes Evangelii Nuntiandi (1975) as the new point of departure for mission theology. Abandoning the prospect of a single theology, identical for all cultures, the article draws our attention to the Sees and the content of the main expressions of Latin-American, Asian and African theology, point of convergence for bishops and theologians. In the final part, the paper looks at the main points of this new theology: the trinitarian origin, the importance of the Spirit as main protagonist of mission, the historical-ecclesial form of the communication of the Gospel, witness as the primary expression of communication. In conclusion some evaluations and future prospects bring the article to a close.