Thomas Kelly, PhD, professor of theology, recently published his book Bridge Building: Pope Francis’ Practical Theological Approach.
Bridge Building invites readers to consider the practical theological value of metanoia and praxis. This requires a conversion toward social action that seeks to transform personal prejudices and political realities where social injustice is accepted as the cultural norm, specifically regarding the global ecological problem, the plight of migrants and refugees, and extreme global poverty. In this way, the paradigm of Bridge Building serves the Church by overcoming the fragmentation between some forms of theology where “an opposition between theology and pastoral ministry emerges as if they were two opposite and separate realities which have nothing to do with each other” (Pope Francis, 2015). Contrary to all previous dualism between the sacred and secular, Bridge Building seeks to end the compartmentalization of the faith that academic theology has, at times, reinforced. Thought and action must proceed together for Christians to live an integral life.
