Duszpasterskie ośrodki pomocy rodzinom w Europie i w Polsce

Abstract

Throughout the church history family aid has been organised in many different ways (schools, hospitals, hostels, monasteries, universities). Modern pastoral help began to flourish in the twentieth century, especially after World War II with the emergence of new problems, such as industrialisation, urbanisation and connected with them diseases, crisis of the family, unemployment, migrations, the fight for freedom and the gaining of independence. In recent years, specialised pastoral help has been concentrated on the problems affecting modem youth (addictions), problems of the sick and the old, prisoners as well as on the care among different professional groups, academic communities and the family. Catholic aid centres are being organised in many countries. The article describes the history of the development and organisation of those centres. The author describes the kinds of aid offered to those about to be married, married couples, people addicted to drugs and alcohol as well as AIDS sufferers. He also describes the activities of support groups such as AA, NA, OA, G A, and religious groups which support pastoral help.