The Church of Abhishiktananda (Henri le Saux)

Abstract

This dissertation concerns the contribution of Abhishiktånanda / Henri Le Saux OSB, to the modern Catholic ecclesiology. The dissertation frames this contribution within the life of Abhishiktånanda and the more general process in the Church of his day. The main contribution of this dissertation lies in having chosen ecclesiology as the angle of observation. While there are an increasing number of studies on Abhishiktånanda’s theology, a work focusing on his thoughts on the Church does not yet exist. The perspective chosen for this thesis has been fruitful. Abhishiktånanda’s ecclesiology is clearly monastic in character. The nouvelle théologie and Vatican II, together with his monastic vocation, were the main sources of Abhishiktånanda’s ecclesiology. At the end of his life, Abhishiktånanda was able to incorporate all these influences, and elaborate a synthesis, where monastic spirituality and theology merged in short, dense thoughts about the Church. His ecclesiology is well-founded not only in the theological work before the Council, but also in Vatican II’s documents.