As comunidades cristãs e a ação social: caminhos de reflexão e de prática

• Autor(a) principal: Catarino, Acácio F.
• Data de Publicação: 2014
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.34632/didaskalia.2014.2426

It may be stated that there are occurrences in the social action of Christian communities: the paradox of informality and of institutional weight; the assistance of the laity; systemic complicity; impoverishment of social pastoral care; and certain blockages. These characteristics denote extraordinary potentials, which may be seen throughout history, and also certain limitations worthy of consideration. In order to make the most of the potentials and to overcome the limitations, the following lines of action seem recommendable: social action groups in all parishes; a social reception service in the parish institutions; qualification of the service of parish reception; organisation and management of Church institutions, in the light of the Church’s social doctrine; taking on and recognising lay identity; bringing about activity in Christian communities; coordination of parish social action; participation in the Parish Pastoral Council; integration in the social action of the Diocese; cooperation with non-Church entities; living in Christian brotherhood. Naturally each parish should adopt the kinds of action it regards as appropriate; it would be a considerable step forward if in every parish in the country, a social action group were to function, with representatives of all parts of the area that it covers.