Theological conflicts are possible, so Pope Benedict XVI in his sermon yesterday and he acknowledged, while theology wants to spark love towards God, there can be a different approach which can lead to conflict and dispute.
I am happy to hear such sentences, as I always have the feeling that the culture of debate is very underdeveloped in our church. Anxiety is a permanent threat accompanying hierarchical systems because everybody is anxious not to draw negative attention of superiors and even destroy the changes to climb up the career ladder.
The pope took the example of Bernhard de Clairvaux and Pierre Abelard who argued heavily in the 12th century about the secret of the revelation. He emphasised that the common grounds of both have been their intention to keep up the love, truth and faith which should be a basic rule to assume when two theologian argue with each other.
Lets hope that this all applies also for the topic of HIV and AIDS within the church.
Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Reflection, anxiety, catholic church, Church Matters, debate, theology
God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE 