The Emergence of the Reparative God: Notes Toward a Theology in a Time of Wounds Through Listening to Victims and Survivors’ Words

Abstract

This contribution explores some preliminary reflections on a theology of reparation developed from the testimonies of victim-survivors of abuse of power and sexual abuse in ecclesial contexts. Faced with the fundamental theological question: ‘How can we speak of God’s reparative love from the perspective of the victims’ suffering?’, the article rejects preconceived, apologetic or purely doctrinal answers, and proposes as the sole legitimate point of entry the attentive listening to the fractures in theological and spiritual certainties caused by the abuse. The central hypothesis maintains that the liberated word of survivors constitutes a genuine locus theologicus , and that the breaking of the cycle of violence constitutes the historical presence of the messianic dynamic of the Kingdom. The article examines the epistemological status of the victim-survivor’s word as a genuine theological locus of revelation, articulating five stages: scriptural and magisterial inspirations, the word-and-faith dialectic, the systemic dimension of abuse, revelation in the precariousness of the victims’ words, and new hermeneutical keys for rethinking Christianity from a non-abusive ecclesial culture.