Perspectief 2016-34

2016-34 17 The de-cognition of recognition Theological reflections on the consequences of recognition and non-recognition in the local church context Prof. dr. Gabriel Monet Introduction Two pastors are invited one evening at a colleague’s home. Upon entering the very dark corridor, one seeks to switch on the light, but he pushes the wrong button and presses a doorbell. His colleague tells him: “This is typical, we wish to make light and we are just making noise”. I hope not to be too noisy in the following lines, but this parable can also apply to the relationship between churches and the process of mutual recognition. The goal is not only to declare or to display any kind of agreement but to have the field really enlightened by respect, cooperation, and effective fraternity. When theologians ask “Shall we just do it?” about recognition and reception in ecumenical relations, could the answer be “Yes we can” (at least in the local church context)? I am tempted to go in that direction even though of course it is not that simple. A lot could be said about the consequences in the local church context in case of recognition or non- recognition. Recognition allows many things between genuine collaboration and true encounters. Non-recognition is to be regretted as it leaves many things on the shelf. But I don’t want to state the obvious. First because the definition of recognition is still to be clarified, but also because the distinction between recognition and non-recognition seems questionable to me. Therefore, I want to start from a hypothesis which is also somehow a wish, what I will call “the de-cognition of recognition”. There is more here than a play on words. What can be meant with this expression: the de-cognition of recognition? My address will try to draw some lines… and I have the local church context in perspective.