The Mystery of the Church: Insights from the Thomistic Tradition

Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP

Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)

From the early modern theologians Juan de Torquemada and Thomas Vio Cajetan to 20th century figures such as Charles Journet, the Thomistic tradition has enriched Catholic reflection on the nature of the Church. Beginning with some texts of St. Thomas Aquinas, this talk will offer a brief tour of this tradition’s theology of the Church, with a focus on three themes: the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church as the instrument of salvation and papal infallibility.