Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 74 No. 2, 2004.
Professional paper
Solidarity from the Perspective of Caritas. Theological Foundation of Solidarity within Croatian society
Vice John Batarelo
; Croatian Caritas, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
When referring to the correct implementation of solidarity within Croatian society today from a Christian perspective Caritas as a term and as an organisation is paramount. This paper will henceforth try to ascertain how and in what ways Caritas as an organisation of the Catholic Church in Croatia is promoting and living solidarity. It will firstly delve into the theological aspects of solidarity as seen through the political theology of J. B Metz. Within this paper it is seen from a Caritas perspective that the church must undergo conversion and transformation to be faithful to a mystical - political praxis of Christian solidarity. Caritas is at the forefront of modern day missionary work of the Catholic church. It goes out to the stranger, the person in need, the suffering, abandoned and poor. Caritas fulfils the role of implementer of what the institutional church is propagating.
In looking at the work of Caritas Croatia in the last five years it has been decisively influenced by the new winds of change within the Caritas network. In a brief look at the aims and content of some of its projects, programmes and campaigns it becomes apparent that Caritas Croatia is becoming, to use the words of Metz, a »school of seeing«. It is promoting a spirit of poverty within the church and civil society, turning attention to the poor, destitute and abandoned. What was hidden becomes manifest, it awakens consciences.
The Catholic Church in Croatia is through Caritas and its recent campaigns and projects slowly opening up to the possibility of heading in the direction of becoming a socially critical-prophetic church through solidary praxis. The question beckons though, will the whole institutional Church in Croatia embrace wholeheartedly such a path. Will its main strategy be to advocate and work in solidarity with those who are suffering and hence channel this discontentment into structural change and justice or will it succumb to the security of maintaining a manageable status quo and going down the well trodden path of mere verbal support as viewed through windows of a shelter.
Keywords
solidarity; Croatian society; Caritas Croatia; Metz; praxis; projects; poverty
Hrčak ID:
25626
URI
Publication date:
3.8.2004.
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