Posługa Kościoła wobec narkomanów w świetle dokumentu Papieskiej Rady do Spraw Duszpasterstwa Zdrowia „Kościół, narkotyki i narkomania. Podręcznik duszpasterski”

Abstract

The phenomenon of drug addiction is thought to be one of the most important pathologies of our civilisation. It calls for effective and decisive measures to be taken, intended to stop the rising consumption of drugs, especially among young people. Dependence on drugs is also a challenge for the Church who has for many years taken various actions in this area. In 2001 the Papal Board for the Pastoral Care of Health published a broad document entitled The Church, Drugs, and Drug Addiction. A Pastoral Handbook. The document contains a comprehensive interpretation of the issue of drug addiction from the perspective of the pastoral ministry of the Church. The paper makes an attempt to answer the question what the Church’s ministry to drug addicts in the world should consist in. This is in the light of the document in question. First, the Church’s indications with regard to drug addiction have been shown. They are the grounds on which the ministry for addicts should be based. Then the subject of this ministry has been indicated, i.e. persons who in particular should take this task. Eventually, the most important actions have been given. According to the document of the Papal Board for the Pastoral Care of Health, the Church should take such measures in the realm of drug prevention and therapy.