What Church Does Man Want? Institutional and Communitarian Model of Church in Catechetical Reflection Cover Image

Jakiego Kościoła pragnie człowiek? Model instytucjonalny i wspólnotowy w refleksji katechetycznej
What Church Does Man Want? Institutional and Communitarian Model of Church in Catechetical Reflection

Author(s): Tomasz Kopiczko
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Diecezjalne »Adalbertinum«
Keywords: model of the Church; Church as institution; Church as communion

Summary/Abstract: The article is the effect of reflection upon the Church. Assuming ecclesial character of catechesis it shows the need for reflection and search of the right model of the Church. There are two models presented: institutional and communitarian. The Vatican Council II was the place and time when these two models came together. At that time institutional model based on a pyramidal hierarchy, emphasizing the legal force, closed to any kind of dialogue with the world changes into communitarian one. The Church is to become a real community of the people of faith yearning to get united around Jesus Christ. It is a community which is open to the dialogue with the world and culture. It is an ability to share the essence of the community: what it is, what it does and what it possesses. In the times when the majority of people are tired of the institutionalization of life, according to the recommendations of the documents of the Vatican Council II one should go towards the community where a personal encounter between God and human takes place.

  • Issue Year: 14/2012
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 417-428
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish