Benignitas pastoralis in the Proclamation of the Word of God (original) (raw)
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Encounter: A Journal of Interdisciplinary Reflections of Faith and Life , 2022
The Congregation for the Clergy situates its 2020 Instruction on the reform of parish structures in the context of pastoral conversion. This article complements the Instruction in two ways. First, it offers a reflection on the various possible meanings of the technical term ‘pastoral’, which was coined by John XXIII, embraced by the Second Vatican Council, and re-introduced by Pope Francis. The term points to a concern for the faithful which may lead to a) a willingness to adapt the presentation of the faith to render it more understandable; b) an openness to learn about God and conceive the faith differently; c) an awareness of the need for a communication style that witnesses to the faith because of its atmosphere of dialogue, invitation, and trust; d) an interest in salvation and well-being. The article further complements the Instruction by specifying how it could deepen its commitment to pastoral conversion. An analysis of the Instruction’s argument suggests that its main concern is the reform of ecclesial structures within the guidelines provided by canon law. Thus, it seems to understand pastoral in the very basic sense of ‘relating to pastoral work’. A true pastoral conversion requires greater attention to virtues such as humility and detachment.
Transform regular pastoral care into missionary work
Služba Božja, 2023
In this article, the author offers a critical reflection on pastoral care within the parish community. In the first chapter, the author analyses the ambivalence of modern culture through a theological and pastoral perspective and its consequences for the Church's pastoral dimension. The second chapter emphasises recognising the signs of the times and the importance of building a personal relationship with God as well as cooperating with others in the common mission of building the Kingdom of God. The conclusion presents some proposals and guidelines for transforming the Church in the synodal spirit. In the process of continually bringing the Christian message up to date (aggiornamento), the author highlights the importance of authenticity, fidelity to Christian truth, closeness, existential conversion and ongoing rivalry with modern man in his joys and sorrows, successes and mistakes.
The Scriptures in Preaching: A Discourse in Light of Pope Francis’s Evangelii Gaudium
Let us renew our confidence in preaching, based on the conviction that it is God who seeks to reach out to others through the preacher, and that he displays his power through human words.' Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (2013), §136 I was delighted in reading the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium to find Pope Francis devoting so much attention to the cultivation of better liturgical preaching. The topic of preaching is one dear to my heart. Although I am neither a priest nor a deacon, before becoming a Catholic I was a Lutheran pastor for ten years, serving in parishes in Melbourne, the UK, and Geelong. By profession I am now also a Doctor in Sacred Theology, which is itself a holy calling and involves me in teaching the holy Word of God in a number of settings. So what I have to share in this essay is not entirely an academic exercise, nor only based on my experience as a listener of homilies in the pews, but drawn from a hands-on practical familiarity with all the difficulties of pastoral ministry, including preaching and teaching.
Journeying Together to Evangelize. A Look at the Synodal Church of Pope Francis
Asian Horizons, Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2020 Pages: 119-136, 2020
Pope Francis believes that the Church of the third millennium must be Synodal, an ‘inverted pyramid.’ This prophetic and courageous step in Church reform by Pope Francis is in close continuity with the ancient and rich synodal tradition of the Early Church and the unfinished agenda of the Second Vatican Council. In a hierarchical Church the Pope and Bishops are privileged listeners to the Holy Spirit and are mandated to teach the people of God, whereas in the sSynodal church the magisterium listens to the Holy Spirit speaking to them through the people of God (LG 12) as well and, thus, includes a two-way process of common listening to the Spirit and communal discernment (sensus fidei) by the entire people of God who journey together to evangelize and bring about the Kingdom of God. It is a revolutionary move towards de-centralisation of the Catholic church which opens up fresh questions about the role of pope and papal primacy, the juridical status of the local and regional bishops’ conferences and the participation of the laity, especially women, in doctrinal formulation and ecclesiastical administration. In this article, I seek to outline and explain Pope Francis’ vision of a synodal church on the basis his own teachings. Keywords: Catholic Church; Church Governance; Collegiality; Communion; Ecclesiology; Hierarchy; Listening Church; Papal Primacy; Pope Francis, Sensus Fidei; Synodal Church; Synodality
Unlike certain clerical terms like ‘priest’ and ‘monk’ that are widely associated with various religious groups, people generally understand that ‘pastor’ is associated with the Christian church. While such knowledge is usually based on collective understanding, it carries some elements of truth that trace back to the Bible. As the bride of Christ, the church has received gifts from her Groom. One of them is the pastors (Eph 4:11). Paul describes that the task of the pastors, and the other “gifts” for the church, is that of equipping the Christians for ministry as they are growing into Christlikeness (Eph 4:12-16). No wonder if the task of the pastors is tied to and, to a certain extent, determined by the church. This paper, hence, seeks to explore the pastoral task to the church using 1 Thes 5:14 as a scope.
Claritas: Journal of Dialogue and Culture, Vol. 6, No. 2 (October 2017) 36–42 © 2017.
Abstract: The author begins with a personal testimony of his thirteen-year relationship with Cardinal Bergoglio in Argentina prior to his becoming Pope Francis. He presents the cardinal’s growing relationship with the evangelical community as well as the joint projects they carried out in their city. The author then speaks about his discernment of the signs of the times that Evangelicals can see in Pope Francis: the power of love, a Christian witness of life, the value of Christian poverty, and a leadership of service. He concludes with what he feels called to by the example of Pope Francis: preaching with passion, living the word of God, loving more radically, and returning to the simplicity of the Gospel life.
2013
This thesis explores the essential role of proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ in Blessed Pope John Paul II's New Evangelization. The process of evangelization is defined in terms of proclamation, followed by the acceptance of faith and conversion of the one being evangelized. Following the innovation of the Second Vatican Council, John Paul II reiterates that it is the responsibility of all Catholics to participate in evangelization. Another of the key themes of the Council, inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue is compared and contrasted with evangelization in general, and proclamation in particular, to further clarify the appropriate roles of each. Two landmark Encyclicals written by John Paul II, Fides et Ratio and Veritatis Splendor are reviewed for their insights. Both Encyclicals are seen as correctives of societal trends like rationalism and relativism that will undermine efforts to implement the New Evangelization if they are not addressed.