Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 91 No. 3, 2021.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.91.3.1
The Church and Its Consistency of Mission
Anđelko Domazet
orcid.org/0000-0002-1606-6640
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Abstract
The article focuses on what might be in the current situation recognized as the task entrusted by God to the Church to carry it out. The topic will be approached in the following way: Starting from the title of the Theological Pastoral Week, The Church in the World of Crises and Human Suffering, which contains the syntagm »in the world of crises« (plural), the first part of the article, titled – ’The Church in the Times of Crises’– analyses some aspects of the crisis of the Western civilization that the Church and Christians encounter today. This part also discusses the Church in terms of its crisis of fundamental meaning/mission and the crisis of practical faith (orthopraxis). The central part of the article, which also somewhat encompasses the second part of the title of the Theological Pastoral Week that refers to »human suffering«, thematizes’Humanity That Is Wounded and in Need of Redemption. The mission and task of the Church is, therefore, discussed in the light of the theological truth that the human being is a being in need of redemption. The category of redemption signifies personal, social‑political, and global salvation. The Church is the universal sacrament of salvation/redemption, not only for Catholics and Christians but for the whole world. In view of the ecclesiology of Pope Francis, the Church is the »Church of exodus«, going forth like a »field hospital« to the periphery of wounded humanity and human existence. The third, final part of the article, titled ’Crisis is an Opportunity for What?’, reflects on ways in which the Church can be a sign and means of God’s salvation in today’s world of crises and human suffering.
Keywords
crisis; mission of the Church; redemption/salvation; faith and deeds; ecclesiology of Pope Francis; solidarity; communion.
Hrčak ID:
273496
URI
Publication date:
2.2.2022.
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