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Brothers and Sisters Across Borders: Theological Perspectives on Catholic Transnationalism

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Migration, Transnationalism and Catholicism

Abstract

While Catholic transnationalism in the context of migration is not new, the high intensity of exchanges, new modes of maintaining relationships, and multiple activities that require cross-border travel and contact make contemporary Catholicism and Catholic migrants’ icons of transnationalism. Such transnationalism has theological underpinnings. First, it takes place at the Church level and can, therefore, be understood ecclesiologically. Second, it occurs at the level of rituals and can, consequently, be understood liturgically. Third, it is carried through pastoral work and can, therefore, be understood from a missiological perspective. In a nutshell, such transnationalism can be understood from the perspective of liberation insofar as the quest for well-being is at the heart of every migrant’s journey and the Catholic Church’s response to migration today.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Ecclesiology is the theological discipline that studies the Christian Church.

  2. 2.

    There are seven sacraments in Catholicism: baptism, confirmation, eucharist (‘mass’ is the more common Catholic term), reconciliation, matrimony/marriage, anointing of the sick and holy order.

  3. 3.

    Popular piety, in this case folk Catholicism, generally involves the quest for more simple, more direct and more profitable relationships with the divine. It usually comes in three forms: (1) devotions to Christ, Mary and the saints; (2) rites related to the liturgical year and; (3) institutions and religious objects that are often connected with the first two forms (Maldonado 1986, 4).

  4. 4.

    Simbang Gabi refers to the nine-day novena masses held 16–24 December in connection with Christmas.

  5. 5.

    Visita Iglesia is a practice of visiting more or less seven churches on Holy Thursday.

  6. 6.

    A posada is a re-enactment of the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, particularly their search for an inn for Mary to give birth. It is a kind of Advent novena that combines prayers, songs and games.

  7. 7.

    Liturgical theology studies the meaning of Christian worship.

  8. 8.

    Missiology investigates the mandate, message and mission of the Christian Church, especially the nature of missionary work.

  9. 9.

    Peggy Levitt’s research (2008) makes sense of this from a transnational perspective by looking at how immigrant churches’ links to hometown associations help to spark global forms of civic participation.

  10. 10.

    The term ‘praxis’ refers to reflective action or action that arises from a critical reflection on God’s word. This liberationist definition of theology engages praxis in a dialogue not only with theory but also with the social sciences for the purposes of envisioning and articulating emancipatory Christian praxis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia

    Gemma Tulud Cruz

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  1. Gemma Tulud Cruz
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Dominic Pasura

  2. Peace Research Institute Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Marta Bivand Erdal

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Cruz, G.T. (2016). Brothers and Sisters Across Borders: Theological Perspectives on Catholic Transnationalism. In: Pasura, D., Erdal, M. (eds) Migration, Transnationalism and Catholicism. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58347-5_2

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