Pregledni rad

https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.94.3.2

Analysis of Religious Practice in Croatia: Socio-ethical and Pastoral Perspective

Stjepan Baloban ; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Sažetak

Over the past decade and a half, the practice of faith across Croatia has undergone profound changes. This transformation is characterized by the emergence of novel manifestations alongside established traditional religious practices, representing an unchartered territory. The paper Analysis of Religious Practice in Croatia: Socio-Ethical and Pastoral Perspective explores diverse religious practices or practice of faith, while simultaneously addressing contemporary Church and theological priorities. Furthermore, it aims to identify the current socio-ethical and pastoral challenges. In the first point, Confronting the reality of changes in religious practice in Croatia, the author addresses the ecclesiastical and theological ignorance of the practice of faith within associations, movements, and communities of lay believers, as well as newer forms of religious practice in the virtual world. It appears that in such a situation, the influence of the Church and theology on religious practice has been weakening, while the influence of individuals and diverse groups unknown to the church public has been increasingly gaining strength. The second point, Current theological and church priorities in Croatia, highlights the importance of theological analysis of religious practices across the country, particularly focusing on the emerging forms of religious expression. This emphasis is warranted due to the potential risk of exclusive interpretation of these new religious dynamics by the civilian media and their designated religious experts. The author additionally observes a diminishing level of church enthusiasm for the active engagement lay believers in both church activities and societal affairs, especially when compared with the initial decade and a half of Croatian democracy. In such a situation, the third point Socio-ethical and pastoral challenges pinpoints the need within the Church to discuss the various forms of religious practice among adult believers in Croatia. A prerequisite for this, and a priority, is to gather key data on all forms of lay association in Croatia. Only after this step can more substantial theological and ecclesiastical deliberations on religious practice ensue, addressing both the evolving landscape of church life and the altered dynamics of the relationships between the Church and society, as well as between the Church and the state. This necessitates an ongoing process of interaction and dialogue between lay believers and the institutional Church, a process that has experienced organizational weakening since the events that had taken place in Osijek in 2001. Changes in religious practice in Croatia are a challenge for ecclesiastical-theological life as such, particularly from a pastoral and socio-ethical perspective. The author concludes that it would not be desirable if the church and social life of lay believers in Croatia were directed more by various church and civil associations led by lay believers, and if the influence of the official Church and theology on the life of believers in Croatia gradually weakened.

Ključne riječi

religious practice; new forms of religious practice; virtual religious practice; associations of lay believers; theological priorities; church priorities; socio-ethical perspective; pastoral perspective.

Hrčak ID:

323600

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/323600

Datum izdavanja:

14.12.2024.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

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