Theology of the consecrated life in the apostolic exhortation Redemptionis Donum of Pope John Paul II with particular reference to the theological anthropology, soteriology and Sanjuanist spirituality of the author

This thesis researches the Apostolic Exhortation Redemptionis Donum of Pope John Paul II in order to see if it offers an original theology of Consecrated Life. The thesis is in two main sections. After providing a Sitz im Leben on the present author in her contact with Redemptionis Donum the first section prepares for the analysis of the Exhortation through presentation of the biography of Pope John Paul II and introductions to the influence on him of St John of the Cross, his theological anthropology and his soteriology, each of which are contributory perspectives informing Redemptionis Donum. Each of these elements is analysed and presented in such a way as to show its connection with the themes and insights which emerge in the Exhortation. The second section introduces the theological context of Redemptionis Donum through a presentation of the theology of Consecrated Life in the documents of the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council and some post-conciliar material, with particular reference to the connections which will be made with the later text. This text is then introduced through the rhetorical category of epideictic with which it is identified. The Exhortation is then examined in detail, using the insights gained through the presentation of the previous chapters. Conclusions about its theological originality are drawn up and its relevance glimpsed through references to the reception of this theology when it has been presented to practitioners of the Consecrated Life by the present author