“Synodal Ecclesiology”: Developing a Theological Vision of and from the Local/Particular Church

Abstract

The present contribution intends to investigate in which terms the so-called ‘synodal ecclesiology’ can be recognised as a further phase of the conciliar doctrine of Lumen gentium sixty years after its publication. The interpretative line identified is one that looks at this theme from the theological perspective of the local/particular Church. The intention is, therefore, to recover the first conciliar germs by analysing the elements involved (Gospel, Eucharist, episcopal ministry, portio populi Dei) and to study how they contribute to a theological recomprehension of the local Church in the light of synodality. Attention is drawn to the need for some reform steps to be implemented as well as some theological acquisitions yet to be matured.