Parish Renewal in Light of the Congregation for the Clergy’s Instruction The Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community in the Service of the Evangelizing Mission of the Church

Abstract

This article presents the Congregation for the Clergy’s reflection on the state of the parish and conditions for pastoral care. The congregation’s most recent instruction entitled The Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community in the Service of the Evangelizing Mission of the Church presents the authors’ vision for renewal of the parish community and pastoral care within the parish setting. This article is the first of its kind to present the bases for, the conditions of, and the direction that such renewal should take. The need for renewal stems primarily from ongoing cultural changes that are taking place in the modern world. The renewal should transform the parish into a sanctuary where the Word of God is proclaimed in a way that the faithful understand. The parish should become a place of deep devotion to the Eucharist and a shelter for every person in need. In order to renew the parish, it is necessary to change parish structures. It is also fitting to introduce changes concerning the agents of pastoral care and to engage the laity in pastoral care of the parish. Through textual and comparative analysis as well as textual criticism, the author presents the model of parish pastoral care according to the Instruction The Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community in the Service of the Evangelizing Mission of the Church.