Listening in evangelization

an approach to the thought of Father Elli Benincá

Abstract

The topic of listening has been arousing much interest today, in a unique way in the Church, based on the process of synodality driven by the teachings of Pope Francis. In the Bachelor of Theology at Itepa Faculdades in Passo Fundo/RS, the principle of listening resonates in theological pedagogical practices with the proposal of the Historical Evangelizing Methodology (MHE). This methodological proposal had as its protagonist the priest, theologian and pedagogue Elli Benincá. MHE follows the originality of the see-judge-act method, assumed by the Second Vatican Council and by the Episcopal Conferences of CELAM in Latin America (Med; Pueb; SD; DAp), but innovates in practical aspects based on four steps: observation, recording, study session and re-direction. The objective of this text is to investigate how the dimension of listening qualifies the Benincan method. How does listening help to confront or combat authoritarian and clericalist attitudes in the ecclesial sphere today? The hypothesis that guided this work indicates that, following the theoretical frameworks developed by Father Benincá, it is possible to conclude that, first, the theologian needs to be inserted in the ecclesial community – one does not observe or listen from outside, but from within (ecclesial testimony); second, that the process of listening leads to listening to the Spirit – and He encourages us to become close and supportive of those who have fallen on the road and, through the poor, to find Christ alive in history (Mt 25:31); and, third, that listening produces a new way of doing theology as a “second act”, the fruit of the ecclesial relationship-experience-practice that is the “first act” (Gustavo Gutiérrez). Thus, pastoral agents, the layperson, theologians, and ordained ministers are not above the totality of the “faithful people” or in separate instances. Through the baptismal office, all are participants in the people of God.