EpiskopatNews
Synod2018: Polish Bishop Urges Shift from Language of Sociology to Language of Church
Bishop Marian Florczyk, Auxiliary Bishop of the Kielce Diocese and Delegate of the Polish Bishops’ Conference for Athletes.
In the discussion about youth in the Church, we must pass from the language of sociology, which uses the term
“group,” to the language of the Church, where we talk about community.
This is a fundamental difference, said the Synod Father, Bishop Marian
Florczyk. In this way, he alluded to the words used during the synod by
Pope Francis to underscore that faith is not a sociological fact, but a
relationship with Jesus.
In his homily at Santa Marta, on October 5, 2018, Pope Francis warned that the Gospel must not be reduced to social
and sociological facts, because that would impede us from living in a
personal relationship with Jesus. Bishop Marian Florczyk, who is one of
the Synod Fathers of the ongoing Synod of Bishops on Youth, evoking to
these words, spoke about the vocabulary used in the discussion of the
“Instrumentum Laboris,” which includes the results of sociological
research The Bishop drew attention to the fact that, when talking
about the young people in the Church, theological language should also
be used. In this context, he emphasized
the word “community”.
“In sociological language, we use the word “group”, and this is correct in that context. However, it should be
noted that one group may be opposed to another with different interests
and goals. Therefore, the young described as a “group” can easily be
opposed to another group. Consequently, the vocabulary used in the
Church’s document is important. In theological language, we use the word
“community,” which
accurately reflects the Greek word “ecclesia,” said Bishop Florczyk, also pointing out the differences between
a community and a group. “A community is formed of personal relations,
based on values. A group may be a gathering of people, which is not
necessarily based on values,” he said.
Emphasizing the meaning of the word “community,” Bishop Florczyk also pointed to the need to keep our eyes
fixed on the person of Christ, in order to build mutual relationships
based on him. “There is no better builder, there is no better architect
for the edification of a community than Jesus Christ. He lays the foundations and he is what binds the community,” said the Synod father.
Bishop Marian Florczyk, age 64, is a Doctor in Social Sciences, Auxiliary Bishop of the Kielce diocese and Delegate
of the Polish Bishops’ Conference for Athletes. Bishop Florczyk was
appointed Synod Father of the XV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops by Pope Francis.
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