Today, the fourth part of Chapter Eight begins for us, “A Renewed Pastoral Ministry For Integral Human Promotion.” What does that mean? Let’s begin with the guidance of two popes and move from there:
399. Taking on this option for the poor with new energy, we state that any evangelization process entails human promotion and authentic liberation, “without which a just order in society is not possible.”(Benedict XVI, Introductory Address 3) We also understand that true human promotion cannot be reduced to particular aspects: “It must be well rounded; it must foster the development of each (person) and of the whole (person).”(Populorum Progressio 14) out of the new life in Christ that transforms the person so that it “makes (them)agent of (their) own development.”(Ibid. 15) For the Church, the service of charity, like the proclamation of the Word and celebration of the sacraments it is “an indispensable expression of her very being,”(Deus Caritas Est 25)
Pope Paul VI developed wrote in favor of an integrated and whole promotion, individuals and society as a whole, and in every aspect of human life. The 1967 encyclical cited was devoted mainly to the topic of economics. Worth a look here, if you feel emboldened.
This topic will be further developed over the next few paragraphs, through #405.
For deeper examination, an English translation of the 2007 document from the Aparecida Conference.
