The Charism of the Church Theologian
An evening of critical dialogue on perspectives from different Christian traditions
Comparison is interesting. When approaching the perspectives of the different Christian traditions, we highlight their tangencies, and this restores a sense of familiarity and the differences as well. But “when diversity is played out energetically, it enriches”.
With this note Fr. Giuseppe Testa concluded the meeting held on the evening of Friday, January 18, in the Arazzi Sala at Alberoni College. The event, entitled “The Charism of the Theologian in the Church: Catholic, Evangelical and Orthodox Perspectives in Comparison”, was designed by the students of Alberoni College. This year, the students themselves generated the idea to explore some themes more deeply. From that came a proposal for a series of meetings on the identity of the theologian, all designed by the students with the professors’ support. For this moment, (the second of the cycle) on the subject of ecumenism was inserted with approval of the delegate Msgr. Pierluigi Dallavalle among the initiatives of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The evening featured Fr. Nicola Albanesi c.m. (Professor of dogmatics), Pastor Nicola Tedoldi (From the Valdo Church – Methodist of Piacenza and Cremona) and Fr. Jurie Ursachi (priest of the Romanian Orthodox Community of Piacenza).
The charism of the theologian is a special gift of the Spirit (see Romans: 12). Throughout history, his role has been articulated in different Churches in different ways, according to the times and the diverse experiences.
To bring out the various positions, the comparison was favored by a four-point scheme provided to each speaker. Between pastors and theologians, from the Catholic perspective expressed by Fr. Albanesi, there must be a dialogue: the role of theology is in fact that of a linguistic research to find ways of deepening the depositum fidei and transmitting it faithfully, in a way that is comprehensible and contemporary. Pastor Tedoldi insisted on the primacy of Scripture in theology which is itself the Church’s critical conscience. Its objective is to proclaim the Gospel (from which neither theology nor pastoral care can be separated). The link between theology and spiritual life seems stronger in the Orthodox perspective according to Fr. Ursachi: the theologian is a “noble vessel” of God: he must bear witness to life with Christ – relationship of human life with that of God: not to speak “of God” but to speak “with God”.
Dialogue between the speakers and the those present invigorated the second part of the meeting, demonstrating the interest in such a comparison as this towards its intrinsic object. It showed us all that dialogue for unity among brothers in faith in Christ is evidently quite achievable.
Giuseppe Porcari, student at Alberoni College
Translated by Dan Paul Borlik, CM
Western Province, USA
