Fraternity : key pastoral attitude in Pope Francis’ vision

Abstract

This dissertation argues that fraternity is the way forward for the Church towards a more synodal and authentic Church and for the society in order to be a more humane society. This dissertation starts by taking a look at the present reality, a liquid reality, a term coined by Zygmunt Baumann, a reality where fluidity and fragmentation are the order of the day. Faced with this reality this dissertation proposes fraternity as the way forward. In order to understand the context of the term fraternity this dissertation delves into different perspectives, such as the philosophical, political and theological understanding. In all these different branches of human thought, we can see a process of openess on the idea of fraternity. This same process happened within the Church through the different pontiffs, especially with Pope Francis who opened up fraternity to all humankind. Pope Francis’ thought on fraternity is mainly on two levels. The first is that fraternity is intrinsic to our identity, since we are all created in the image and likeness of God. Secondly fraternity is a choice, an attitude that we as Christians are called to embrace in our relationships with out neighbour. This dissertation seeks to apply fraternity in the life of the Church, through a new way of leadership, where all members are involved, listened to, in other words what synodality is proposing to the whole Church. When the Church seeks to live fraternity between its members than it can propose it to the society, as a possible way how we can achieve the common good. Lastly this dissertation seeks to propose fraternity as a pastoral attitude which we need to embrace, which leads to openess for every member of our community, openess to the different realities people are facing nowadays. Fraternity when embraced leads us to dialogue and a culture of encounter with everyone because everyone can contribute within the Church and society.