Between the 'Politics of mysticism' and the 'Mysticism of politics': Implications of the universal call to holiness within the Roman Catholic tradition

Abstract

This dissertation is a study of Christian spirituality within Roman Catholic tradition in modern era. Specifically, it is an exploration of tensive relationship between the mystical and the political. Though this inter-relationship has become a feature in twentieth century Roman Catholic theology there remains a relative absence of considered treatments on theme. The thesis is a response to this lacuna. The thesis suggests that, given both development of laicality in recent times and enunciation of 'universal call to holiness' in chapter five of Lumen gentium of Second Vatican Council, an engagement of relationship between the mystical and the political is now unavoidable in development of a spiritual life. Evolving aspects of Roman Catholic tradition have dissolved a previous two-tiered systematization of pursuit of holiness and presented the world itself as locus for experience of holiness. The thesis is animated by a certain pastoral concern and with conviction that necessity of such an engagement shall only increase in period ahead.