"Like Yeast in Dough": The Church–World Relationship in the Evolving Thought of Marie-Dominique Chenu. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kate Holman, Mary
• Is Part Of: Theological studies. Volume 81:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 788
• Page End: 809
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Marie-Dominique Chenu -- mission -- signs of the times -- Vatican II -- Worker-Priest Movement; Theology -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 230
• DOI: 10.1177/0040563920985177
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-5639

Abstract

During his Parisian "exile" from 1942 to 1954, Marie-Dominique Chenu's experiences with worker communities transformed his vision of the church–world relationship. This article highlights the overlooked social dimension of Chenu's pre-conciliar thought, tracing his shift from a "New Christendom" ecclesiology towards a church in a state of mission and his growing call for ecclesial structural change in light of changing social structures. These life experiences would lead him to advocate for a church that reads and responds to the "signs of times."