Katecheza dorosłych jako szansa urzeczywistnienia się dialogu Kościoła ze światem

Abstract

Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical letter "Caritas in veritate" says that different religions may contribute to the development of humanity in a significant degree, but only under the condi- tion that God is actually included in all aspects of human life, especially when it comes to its social, economical, cultural and political dimensions. Dialogue with the world of culture, politics and economics is among one of the most essential tasks of the Church. Catechesis of adults can play an important part in this dialogue. Catechetical documents of the Church contain numerous references and recommendations relating to it. Unfortunately, these recommendations have not been sufficiently implemented in pastoral work in Poland so far. Some experts say that Polish pastoral practice is simply happy enough with the existing forms of catechesis, at the same time overestimating their practical value and playing down the necessity of a proper discernment of the real needs and expectations of the faithful. This essay aims at demonstrating that the catechesis of adults can serve as means of initiating and sustaining dialogue between the Church and the world. The first part of the essay endeavors to shed some light on the very nature of a dialogue seen from the theological perspective. It is followed by an attempt to point to some of the social issues that should fall within the scope of interest of the catechesis of adults. It concludes with an outline of some selected principles of the catechesis as the whole that are applicable to the actual organisation and conduct of the catechesis of adults. The author of the essay draws from pastoral reflections and experience of bishop Herbert Bednorz, who was rightly called a shepherd of the workmen of Silesia.