Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 93 No. 1, 2023.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.93.1.1
Catechetical-pastoral and Ecclesiological Perspectives of the Motu Proprio Antiquum Ministerium of Pope Francis
Ana Thea Filipović
orcid.org/0000-0002-0119-1940
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
With Pope Francis’ motu proprio Antiquum ministerium (Ancient Ministry) signed on 10 May 2021, the lay ministry of catechist was instituted as a permanent ministry in the Church. The first part of this article presents and comments on the structure and the content of the document. Particular emphasis is put on the following contents that are specified in the apostolic letter: the importance of the catechists in the history of the Church, the understanding of the catechetical ministry, the criteria for admission to the ministry, and the requirements for the formation of catechists. The second part interprets the apostolic letter as a special recognition of the role of the catechists in the Church and an incentive for further development of the catechetical ministry, especially in the wake of recent documents and incentives of the Magisterium of the Church. The third part examines the meaning of motu proprio as a contribution to the development of the ecclesiology of communion and service, and to the construction of the synodal Church. In the fourth part, the view is directed toward the implementation of the document in relation to the position and the profile of catechists in the Church, in different parts of the world and specific circumstances of local Churches. The methodology of this article is systematic, predominantly analytical-interpretive, and critical- evaluative. The article brings to light the catechetical-pastoral and ecclesiological perspectives of the motu proprio Antiquum ministerium on the basis of the analysis of the document, practical-theological criteria, and insights into the relevant literature.
Keywords
Antiquum ministerium; Ancient ministry; permanent ministry of catechist; formation of catechists; synodality; ecclesiology of communion and service.
Hrčak ID:
305876
URI
Publication date:
12.7.2023.
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