MIŁOSIERDZIE DUSZPASTERSKIE W TRADYCJI KOŚCIELNEJ I W AMORIS LAETITIA PAPIEŻA FRANCISZKA

Ryszard Hajduk

Wydział Teologii Uniwersytetu Warmińsko-Mazurskiego w Olsztynie
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8012-2184

Abstract

Pope Francis urges priests to renew the activity of the Church in the spirit of mercy.
Thus, he is continuer of the tradition of benignitas pastoralis, whose representatives are St. John
Chrysostom (349–407), St. Alfons Maria de Liguori (1696–1787) and Henri J.M. Nouwen (1932–1996).
The pastoral mercy lies in the imitation of God, who descends in Jesus Christ to the people to let
them know himself in a way adapted to their perceptive abilities and he shows understanding for
their weaknesses in order to support them in achieving personal perfection. For Pope Francis, the
Gospel is not a set of moral standards, but the good news of the mercy of God who is full of tenderness,
patience and kindness for people. In Jesus Christ, the Son of God, everything speaks of mercy.
The task of pastors, who are following him, is to approach weak and confused people with meekness,
not to condemn, but to call them to conversion. The pastoral mercy is important because of its
biblical and theological foundation, its personalist character, pedagogical value, therapeutic effects
and power of evangelization. Pope Francis recognizes in the pastoral mercy the right answer of the
Church to the spiritual needs of people who find themselves in so-called irregular situations, living
together without the sacrament of marriage.