The Church between Heaven and Earth

Pertinent Magisterial Data

Abstract

The contribution proposes to focus in on the main interventions of the Church concerning the relationship between the earthly Church and the heavenly Church, with a particular attention given to the role the eucharistic celebration plays therein. After a brief overview of Patristic, medieval and Tridentine moments, the line of study arrives at chapter VII of Lumen Gentium which captures the argument’s theme on the eschatological character of the Church. The applied analysis highlights the moderation of the texts considered, the unresolved tensions emerging from them, as well as the care in not taking a definitive position on still unresolved questions. The magisterial texts thus give ample space for a theological elaboration.