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The Church As a Eucharistic and Prophetic Community in India: A Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Spring 5-11-2018 The hC urch as a Eucharistic and Prophetic Community in India: A Theological Exploration into the Challenges and Implications of a Eucharistic Ecclesiology Based on the Early Church and the Statements of the Indian Theological Association (ITA) Shibi Devasia Duquesne University Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Part of the Catholic Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, and the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Devasia, S. (2018). The hC urch as a Eucharistic and Prophetic Community in India: A Theological Exploration into the Challenges and Implications of a Eucharistic Ecclesiology Based on the Early Church and the Statements of the Indian Theological Association (ITA) (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/1433 This Immediate Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE CHURCH AS A EUCHARISTIC AND PROPHETIC COMMUNITY IN INDIA: A THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION INTO THE CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS OF A EUCHARISTIC ECCLESIOLOGY BASED ON THE EARLY CHURCH AND THE STATEMENTS OF THE INDIAN THEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (ITA) A Dissertation Submitted to McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Theology By Shibi Devasia May 2018 Copyright by Shibi Devasia 2018 ABSTRACT THE CHURCH AS A EUCHARISTIC AND PROPHETIC COMMUNITY IN INDIA: A THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION INTO THE CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS OF A EUCHARISTIC ECCLESIOLOGY BASED ON THE EARLY CHURCH AND THE STATEMENTS OF THE INDIAN THEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (ITA) By Shibi Devasia May 2018 Dissertation supervised by Dr. George S. Worgul, Jr. Theological trends change from time to time to make the faith more meaningful and relevant to the contemporary context. To an extent, the Second Vatican Council, by its commitment to two concepts, “ressourcement” and “aggiornamento,” succeeded in this mission in the last century. The communion ecclesiology of the Council, which has its foundation in the sacrament of Eucharist, shows that the centrality of the Eucharist in the Church cannot be overlooked, because the ecclesial body of the Church is built up by the Eucharistic body of Christ. Any Eucharist-centered ecclesiology is prophetic and eschatological by nature. The “Eucharistic” and “prophetic” dimensions of the Church are not exclusive as they are seen today. Rather, these are intertwined and mutually fulfilling. This was seen very strongly in the Church of the apostolic times, and this thrust continued in the writings of the Fathers of the Church. Though there are different models of ecclesiology, the Indian Church is in need of regaining the Eucharistic ecclesiology so that it can be more “prophetic” in India and face its challenges iii courageously. Even five decades after the Second Vatican Council, the teachings of the Council have not brought about many changes in the Indian Church. Though the Church tries to be involved in social issues, clericalism or hierarchism still adversely affects the Indian Church today. The Indian Theological Association’s indigenous ecclesiology serves as a mirror on the Indian Church, reflecting both the face of the Indian Church and the face of the country. In these reflections, the Church can engage herself in the cultural, social, economic, religious, and ecclesial context of India. I argue that if the Indian Theological Association would emphasize the centrality of the Eucharist in its indigenous ecclesiology, then its ecclesiology would be more prophetic and appealing to the Indian Church. In the pluralistic context of India, it would help the Indian Church to be challenged in its way of life and to become truly the Body of Christ and a prophetic witness to the nation. iv DEDICATION My MCBS confreres who have dedicated their lives to Eucharistic ministry v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Being a member of the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (MCBS), it has been always my pleasure and enthusiasm to learn more about the sacrament of Eucharist and to be challenged by it. My doctoral program and especially my research on the Eucharistic ecclesiology at Duquesne University was a pilgrimage blessed with divine providence and human assistance. This research was an intense period of systematic learning and personal insights in my life. As I make the finishing touches on my dissertation, I thank Almighty God for guiding me with his wisdom and blessing me with wonderful scholars and benevolent people around me to make this research possible. My heart-felt gratitude goes to my supervisor Dr. George S. Worgul for his scholarly guidance. His availability, constructive criticism, and patience have helped me to complete this research successfully. With a grateful heart, I acknowledge the suggestions and contributions of Dr. Sebastian Madathummuriyil and Dr. Radu Bordeiano to make this research more scholarly. I would also like to thank all my professors in the theology department and especially Dr. Marinus Iwuchukwu, Dr. Maureen O’Brien, and Dr. Marie Baird for their guidance and support. I cannot but remain thankful to Rev. Dr. William Batz, Rosemary Janik, and Sharon Serratore who helped me to improve the quality of the text with proof reading. I would also like to thank the McAnulty Graduate School of Liberal Arts for offering me a scholarship without which my study at Duquesne would have been impossible. I also remain grateful to the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Bishop David Zubik and Bishop William Waltersheid for offering me a parish residence for my stay during my study. My special gratitude to my pastors, vi Rev. Mark A. Eckman and Rev. James B. Farnan, and to Rev. Joe Codori, the staff and the faithful at St. Thomas More Parish, Bethel Park, for their love and encouragement during my academic journey. I also express my sincere thanks to all my friends in the St. Mary’s Syro- Malabar Catholic Mission, Pittsburgh and in the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago. I cannot forget the encouragement and support from my Superior General Rev. Dr. Joseph Maleparampil, and Provincial Superiors, Rev. Joseph Thottankara, Rev. Jose Mulangattil, and Rev. Fr. Zacharias Elavanal, and all my confreres in the MCBS Congregation during my research. My special gratitude goes to Rev. Dr. George Kizhakkemury who with love and confidence sent me to Duquesne for my doctoral study and whole-heartedly supported and encouraged me in this endeavour. Finally, I remember with gratitude all those who have contributed me with their good wishes and prayers in my humble academic career, especially my family members and friends. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................... xiv GENERAL INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 0.1. The Background of this Study ............................................................................................. 3 0.2. The Issue Under Consideration ............................................................................................ 5 0.3. Methodology and Research Question .................................................................................. 7 0.4. Status Quaestionis and the Scope of this Study ................................................................. 11 0.5. Title of the Research .......................................................................................................... 14 0.6. Thesis of the Research ....................................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................. 17 CHURCH AS A EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY: EXPERIENCE AND WITNESS OF THE EARLY CHURCH........................................................................................................................ 17 1.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 17 1.2. Biblical Foundations of Eucharistic Ecclesiology ............................................................. 19 1.2.1. Institution Narratives in the Synoptic Gospels: Liturgical and Ecclesial Meaning 20 1.2.1.1. Passover and covenantal perspectives ............................................................. 21 1.2.1.2. Perspectives of meal and Christian identity .................................................... 25 1.2.1.3. Forgiveness, reconciliation, and building up of the Church ............................ 26 1.2.1.4. Eschatological perspective in the building up of
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