Duszpasterstwo rodzin: próba określenia jego istoty

Abstract

As a practical family pastorateis more and more generally needed, the problem of the deficient or incomplete conception of it becomes more and more apparent. Hence there is a growing demand for a reflection which must be concentrated round the problem: what is the family pastorate in its very essence? The best way to acquire full answers besides general reflections on the mission of the Church – is to reflect on the reality of the Catholic married couples and families. And the following two aspects of this reality are especially important. The dogmatic aspect, showing the whole dynamic of the sacramental sign, allows to point to the important feature of the sacrament of matrimony and the family built on it: its connection with evangelization. A statement can be formulated in the following way: the married couple and family as the subject of pastorate. From this point of view the characteristic features of the family pastorate can be seen more fully (in its two functions: rationalizing and supplementing) as well as its most important task whlich is to base the family pastorate activities on theological contents. The cairological aspect, showing th e married couple and family in the context of contemporary changes as signs of time, allows to point to specific aims and targets of the family pastorate. In this way one arrives at an outline of a coherent conception, although many details will still remain open.