Church and Theology at the Borders

Whether implicitly or explicitly, borders have always harboured profound theological meaning. The border is, on the one hand, an instrument to establish an identity by demarcating oneself from others, but, on the other hand, it can also be experienced as a possibility of exchange. From an anthropological point of view, it is both a limitation and a starting point. Because of this ambiguity, particular attention must be paid to the fragility of those who live “on the margins”, or “in magical territories” (Gloria Andalzua). Moreover, in our time, we observe a profound change in the existential experience of the “border”. The reasons are many: problems related to climate change, access to clean water and air, differences in development and economic and financial resources, political instability and violence are pushing more and more people around the world to cross borders. This crossing could be the figure of a new humanity and a new cohabitation, in which the religious and spiritual resources of each person and each group can have their own role. As a result, theology is deeply involved in this reflection, but it must engage in dialogue with other disciplines--Excerpted from Editorial, page 7.