Inspiration from the Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia for the Pastoral Ministry in Poland

Abstract

Apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia is a rapport of the assembly of the Synod of bishops called: The Amazon: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology. The indications of Pope Francis enumerated in the exhortation are universal and, therefore, they can also refer to other local Churches. They can also be used by the Polish priests. The article presents the possible ways of using some of the Pope’s indications in the Polish Church. The first part of the article is a debate on the necessity for evangelization. The arguments which are used by Pope Francis to indicate the need to continue and develop spreading of the Gospel are a current issue also in Poland. It is necessary, as it is stated in part 2 of the article, to use inculturation in its various aspects. Although the inculturation in the evangelization of the people who live in the Amazon basin is different than the evangelization of the Polish society, it is still indispensable for the efficiency of the pastoral ministry. The third part of the article is devoted to the problems connected with building active Christian communities. The process, both in Poland and in Amazonia, encounters similar problems, therefore, the solutions given by Pope Francis may also prove useful for the Polish pastoral care.