The Bride of Christ and the Church Body Politic

Abstract

This article explores the use of the nuptial metaphor (the church as the ‘Bride of Christ’) in recent official theological writings to understand how both implicit and explicit ideas of body, gender and church authority play a role in the present Roman Catholic theological context. I argue that this metaphor can also help to clarify some of the issues involved in the sex abuse crisis. In addition, ‘bridal’ or ‘spousal’ language also plays a role in the increasing tensions with theologians and the magisterium. The article concludes by arguing for alternative models of relationship and marriage and develops the implications for ecclesiology.