The Person and the Challenges. The Journal of Theology, Education, Canon Law and Social Studies Inspired by Pope John Paul II
The Christological doctrine defined during the Chalcedon Council (451) was the point of reference to consolidate the Christian doctrine in the fifth century. It also became the foundation of the evangelizing mission led by the Church in the following centuries. In the context of the new challenges and interpretation a question, whether the Chalcedon doctrine needs to be reinterpreted, arises. This...
The Code of Canon Law of John Paul II sets forth in can. 998 as follows: “The anointing of the sick, by which the Church commends to the suffering and glori fi ed Lord the faithful who are dangerously ill, so that he may support and save them, is conferred by anointing them with oil and pronouncing the words prescribed in the liturgical books”.Through this sacramental entrusting of a sick person,...
The 21st century brings new challenges for the society and every human being. Although today’s Europe is in the process of strengthening and enlarging its economic and political union, it seems to suffer from a profound crisis of values. Therefore, it is very important to have a proper perception and understanding of contemporary challenges for education and pedagogy. This might results in going through...
The article focuses three problematic knots. The fi rst one underlines how the modern utopias are not dead, but they have strikingly moved: the modern ideal of freedom, for example, changed into the post-modern ideal of security; the monism of values shared in common turned into a pluralism of personal, discontinuous and fragmented choices. The second knot identi fi es education itself as an evolving...
Parochial catechesis in Belgium, especially in Flanders as the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, is confronted with a lot of challenges. This text deals with three main thematic clusters. The fi rst cluster centres on the relation between ‘Christianity’ and ‘culture’ and its consequences for the content and the method of the catechesis. In a context where Christianity and culture are no longer intrinsically...
The teachings of Holy Father John Paul II constantly remind us of the importance of human dignity. The anthropological focus of John Paul II is an essential element of his thoughts. The human being in the image of God, has a unique, inherent value. It was always God’s plan that men, despite being creatures, would freely participate in God’s inner life - in Love. The dignity and value of humanity is...
Student uniqueness demands that the teacher/catechist is inventive not only in the learning methods and teaching techniques employed but also in the way content is structured. Only in this way can the teacher ascertain that his/her students’ requirements are met and, consequently, student learning facilitated. However, teachers’ creativity should not mean haphazard choice of methods and techniques...
Paul Ricoeur insists on some kind of philosophical agnosticism although in everyday practice he is consciously bound to Christianity. That said, his poetical approach in Biblical hermeneutics when he confronts his position with his no believing contemporaries, very clearly shows that religious dimension of man, especially in its openness to new meanings, makes the understanding more proli fi c. This...
This article focuses on a double identity of rituals: the origin and main structure of rituals is narrative, and they represent a particular logic which aims at establishing a different quality of life. The narrative structure coincides with a typical characteristic of the human mind: the commemoration of striking dramatic or liberating events. Hence the ongoing concern to remember; the anamnesis...
Jean-Marie Lustiger admired John Paul II and he was devoted to him. They both had similar origin. The Cardinal of Paris often accompanied the pope in his pastoral visits. He perceived John Paul II as the man of Providence. He was convinced that God had prepared him to this role. Jean-Marie Lustiger emphasized the attitudes of John Paul II that attracted the attention and admiration of observers. For...
One of the main tasks of the EU is to create a European identity. This is a complex matter because of some lasting consequences of many divisions, conflicts and wars of the past. There are many national boundaries and various ethnic and cultural identities, regional interests. This paper refers to a whole range of aspects, which may be identified as crucial for education in a diversified Europe. After...
Pope John Pauls II is the most famous person in Polish history. He has been acclaimed as one of the most infl uential leaders of the 20th century. It is widely accepted that he was important in ending communism in Poland and eventually all of Europe. He also helped Poland to enter European Union. After his death the Church in Poland feels like an orphan, but sees chances in the heritage, which John...
One of the important tasks of pope John Paul II pontificate was interreligious dialogue. Twenty-seven years lasting pontificate, was full in that matter of extremely important words and many still important spectacular gestures. The article reminds those more and those less known pope’s gestures, and it is an attempt of interpretation. The brave gestures of the Pope speak stronger than words, are...