Review article

The New Evangelisation and the Catechesis of Marriage and the Family. Reconsidering the Classical Means and Founding New Models of Pastoral Care of the Family

Milan Šimunović ; Theology in Rijeka, Dislocated Studies of Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

In the last few years there is a growing belief that work directed towards the promotion of families is apriority mission within the Church. Numerous pastoral and other initiatives give witness to this, especially the third pastoral visit by Pope John Paul II to Croatia, emphasizing pastoral truth: »the Family is the Path of the Church and the People«. Today, families are increasingly exposed to deep crises in postmodernist society, sometimes described as the »death of the family«. The pastoral care of the family is increasingly facing serious challenges.
Given that crises and difficulties are becoming more serious, and pastoral care of families is becoming all the more difficult with reduced results, the author points out the present danger in abandoning pastoral initiatives. He also emphases the necessity of a renewed emphasise of the fundamental truths of Christian marriage and the family, God's true intention, that is, the proclamation of the »Gospel of marriage and the family«, and an emphasis on the sacrament of marriage and the salvation of others, in the family, in the Christian community and in society.
While emphasising the need of taking note of all that is positive, it is evident that there exists a need for a fundamental renewal of the classical models of action to advance the complete pastoral care of the family. Consequently, the author critically reverts to the present approaches of pastoral care of families while citing a number of directions for their necessary revision, and allowing for more suitable opportunities for a new evangelisation and catechesis.
Certainly, it is necessary to reflect on uncovering new methods of work by which the family shall increasingly become the protagonist of family pastoral work in the life and actions of the Church. Special attention is given to the formation of so called family communities and their gathering (in the homes). As specific catechetical groups they can become the yeast for the renewal of the family and the parish community as a whole. The premise for a new style of work, either with the classical or newer models, is the fundamental renewal of parish communities, commencing with the stimulation of the »family conscience«, or in other words, a necessary communal engagement directed towards the rescue and promotion of families. Another topic of special interest is a new model of the parish coordinator and the formation of professional animators or leaders in family pastoral work, something new in content, method and willingness. Additionally, it is necessary to offer more suitable catechetical aids and materials, while taking into account the classical and the newer models of work with families.

Keywords

marriage (matrimony) and family; crisis; truth on families; serving the family; revision of classical models; new evangelisation and catechesis; new models; family communities; new face of the parish community; formation professional animators

Hrčak ID:

24693

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/24693

Publication date:

7.9.2005.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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