Elements of John Paul II's Pedagogy

Abstract

Pope John Paul II is definitely the greatest authority of modern times. As Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, he taught and educated the faithful. He issued a lot of magnificent Church documents: encyclicals, adhortations, apostolic letters that put the issues connected with religion in order and made one realize the need of proper opening to the world, man and God. With his personal behavior he gave a model of Christian life. The Holy Father was considered to be amaster and a „prophet” of our times. He always had the courage of unambiguously preaching Jesus Christ's message to the world. He conducted diverse and intensive apostolic activities.

Analysis of John Paul II's statements and behavior shows that when carrying out the mission of evangelizing the world he had a very well thought out and consistent conception of education. Hence talking about John Paul II's own peculiar pedagogy is fully justified. The personalist-theological perspective is the basic element of this pedagogy. The chief thesis in the Pope's attitude towards education was accepting such an anthropology that considers both the positive elements of the human being (because he is a God's child), and his weaknesses, shortcomings, lack of order, which result from the original sin. In the process of education and self-education the human being is obliged by God Himself to realize in his life certain values, and especially: faith, hope and love. The basic aim of education is to develop the human being's subjectivity and to transmit the proper canon of values to him, including moral and religious values.

First of all, the Pope wanted to direct man towards Christ, and to do this, besides his personal influence he used various external means, which he appreciated both in his teachings and in practice. Today it can be said that the fruit of John Paul II's pedagogical actions can be seen in many people's attitudes. The fact that many young people pronounce themselves in favor of the values accepted by John Paul II and that his attitude is meaningful is expressed in the movement defined as The John Paul II Generation.