Duszpasterstwo chorych

Abstract

Pastoral care for the sick is the primary task of the salvational activity of the Church, made present in the fellowship of the faithful. Proclaiming the Good News, Jesus Christ made salvation dependent on the relationship to the sick man. While ministering to the sick and the ailing, the Christian participates in the merciful and healing mission of Christ Himself. All those who serve the sick: family, priests, and medical staff fulfil, at the same time, the pastoral mission of the Church. Its efficiency will depend to a considerable measure on the adequate actions taken every day, the activity which is connected with sensitivity, openness, solidarity and a sense of brotherhood among the members of a parochial fellowship. The actions that have been taken up to now call for a pastoral reflection. One should undoubtedly broaden the scope of ministering to the sick, so that aside to priests also the laity could fulfil their appropriate functions more extensively. Some forms of pastoral care for the sick need to be renewed, as they are losing significance due to some civilizational changes. And new spheres wherein the Church could be present among the sick should be filled, the spheres that have appeared in the contemporary social reality.