Kształtując kulturę : wartości w nauczaniu papieża Benedykta XVI na światowych dniach młodzieży

Abstract

The youth is responsible for a shape of the future culture. The World Youth Days in the Catholic Church are an important educational and culture-shaping activity which is aimed at nurturing the youth to the culture based on particular values. Benedict XVI suggests in his speeches to the youth a way of the culture that is based on particular – rooted in God – values, as well. Benedict XVI’s pontificate is the last, completed pontificate of the current popes. During his pontificate Pope Benedict had an opportunity to participate in the World Youth Days held in Cologne, Sydney and in Madrid. In his speeches during WYDs he focused on the issue of values many times. He mentioned truth, God’s primacy, dignity of the human being, unity and brotherhood and freedom. The truth and God’s primacy could be regarded as fundamental. Those values are, indeed, a basis to better understand other values. The truth and God’s primacy are discussed separately, but they are closely related to each other. The truth is the consequence of God’s primacy. Therefore, every value which gives God his primacy could be regarded as authentic. Values suggested by Benedict XVI are also an answer to dilemmas and questions which the young individual is facing. According to the pope’s reasoning, an acceptance and respect for these values are linked with a happy and fulfilled life. Benedict XVI, thus, encourages young people in this matter.