WIĘZY DUCHOWE KONSTYTUUJĄCE RODZINĘ KATOLICKĄ W (NAJNOWSZYM) MAGISTERIUM KOŚCIOŁA KATOLICKIEGO
The Spiritual Bonds that constitute the Catolic Family in the (recent) Magisterium of the Catholic Church

Summary/Abstract: The author of the article, undertaking an analysis of the issue of thecurrent emphasis of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, present inthe definition of the Catholic family and constituting the structure of itsvocation, states that we can speak of such elements that have the role ofintegrating its members into a deep community of life, and that their characteris spiritual, moral. The first of them is the concept of the Catholicfamily as a „domestic Church”. It is about the sanctification of its membersby putting God in the first place, where the issue of sacramental practiceis important, i.e. entering into the sacrament of marriage, participating inthe Holy Mass, receiving Holy Communion, etc. The second is the need toraise offspring in the Catholic spirit, through the process of socializationand instilling the saving faith. The third is the auxiliary role of the CatholicChurch (watching over doctrine) and the state (watching over the organizationof religion and respect for religious freedom), without whose positiveinvolvement, the educational process would definitely be exposed tothe risk of failure. The elements in question can be considered a continuationof the Church’s teaching in the spirit of its traditional doctrine, butthey also constitute the foundation for a reflection on marriage and familythat is more current and open to human existence, which is going throughvarious crises. This can be seen, for example, in the thesis that Pope Francispresents in AL no. 122, i.e. when he states: „The different levels shouldnot be confused: the enormous burden of the need to recreate the perfectunion between Christ and the Church should not be placed on two persons,who have their limitations, because marriage means a «dynamic process,which takes place slowly through the gradual incorporation of God’sgifts»”. If one wants to adequately understand and describe the second aspect,one should bear in mind such documents of the Church as: Final Reportto Pope Francis entitled The Vocation of the Family in the Church andin the World in the Light of the XIV Synod of Bishops, or AL, EG, GiE, DI,LS’, LD. Etc. However, one can also put forward the thesis that the documentsof the latest Magisterium, as well as those concerning such popesas Paul VI, John Paul II, or Benedict XVI, explaining the vocation of theCatholic family to holiness, as well as its role in the contemporary world,adequately complement each other in terms of the essence of the teachingand doctrinal meaning. This is of particular importance when it comes tothe principle of how to understand and implement the need to accompanyspouses and parents in their life of faith, when they are going througha marital, family, moral crisis, etc. Pope Francis strongly emphasizes theneed to engage in pastoral help in this field. It is still not a portable devicein the call to holiness, and in another case, when pastors are instructed tovalue the freedom of conscience of an individual believer, e.g. when receivingHoly Communion. (see AL no. 298-299).

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