Panel: THE SACRAMENTALITY OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT: THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS IMAGINATION FOR PERSONAL AND COLLECTIVE TRANSFORMATION



154.2 - QUEERING RAHNER'S SACRAMENTAL THEOLOGY: GOD, SYMBOLIC EMBODIMENT, AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

AUTHORS:
Diaz M. (Loyola University Chicago ~ Chicago ~ United States of America)
Text:
"All beings are by their nature symbolic, because they necessarily 'express' themselves to attain their own nature," wrote Rahner, capturing his theology of symbol as the cornerstone of his sacramental theology. This symbolic understanding informs sacramental mediations both within the Church (sacraments) and society (socio-political engagements). This paper explores Rahner's sacramental theology and its socio-political implications. Rahner affirmed the "always and everywhere" presence of grace (Das Existential ist übernatürlich) as it manifests through human expressions in words and deeds. However, his approach has been critiqued, particularly by Johann Baptist Metz, who challenged Rahner for failing to address socio-political injustices. Metz argued that grace is not simply a transcendental presence but an interruption of history, confronting and transforming oppressive systems like Fascism. Queer theology offers a further critique and expansion of Rahner's work. To "queer" sacramentality means to disrupt normative assumptions, particularly heteronormativity, by reimagining grace as manifest in LGBTQ+ embodiments and expressions. This paper draws on queer liberation theology to argue that sacramental theology must confront not only heterosexism but also the Church's complicity in social exclusions. A queer sacramental vision challenges the Church to engage inclusively with gender and sexual diversity, fostering transformative and liberating ecclesial practices. Rahner's symbolic theology is thus mined for its potential to inspire an inclusive sacramental vision that resonates with Jesus' liberating words and deeds. Sacraments must not only symbolically challenge the world but also be open to the sacramental potential of worldly words and deeds. The Church must allow its mediations of grace to be disrupted by the realities of the marginalized to make them more credible and just, advancing the common good.