New Pastoral Opportunities for Ministries of the Church

Ovdje se radi o inovaciji crkvenom djelovanju. U naslovu izrijekom stoji \u27crkvene službe\u27, tj. da se ta inovacija očekuje od onih koji su nositelji crkvenih službi. Zato se nastavlja pratiti brojčano kretanje prezbitera, dijecezanskih i redovničkih te broja novih redovnica, koji su, unatoč pojave školskih vjeroučitelja, i dalje bitni nosioci crkvenog djelovanja u nas. Na temelju međunarodnog istraživanja \u27Priester 2000\u27 opisuje se prezbitersko doživljavanje vlastite službe i koliko ih ona opterećuje. U drugom dijelu iznose se prioriteti hrvatskoga pastorala i područja koja traže sistematizaciju i poboljšanje. Treći dio iznosi nužne pretpostavke za ostvarenje prioriteta i bogatijeg pastoralnog djelovanja a odnose se na promišljanje o aktualnim službama i uvođenju novih pastoralnih službi s punim radnim vremenom te formaciji volontarijata. Upozorava se na nužnost \u27središnjih tijela\u27 kao logistici pastoralnom djelovanju.\u27Church ministries\u27 need to respond to the challenges of any period. In that regard we need to monitor the numeric movement of candidates for the clergy and religious vocations, which have nevertheless diminished significantly. The article present ten tables and presented data for the first time of the results of an international survey by which we can describe the understanding of priests of their own ministry and to what extent this burdens them and whether they are prepared to accept other associates such as pastoral assistants. The second part of the article presents the priorities of the Croatian pastoral care and the areas that require systemisation and improvement. This virtually relates to all areas of Church activities particularly in working the adults, the young and special groups. The third part presents vital presumptions to realise priorities and to enrich pastoral activities with regard tο examining current ministries and introducing new ones and the formation (training) of volunteers. When referring to new ministries, a possible suggestion is to introduce pastoral assistants for which material conditions exist but also as the survey showed, the priest is willing to accept them. With regard to permanent diaconate, the article cautions of the diversity of its current realisations in other Churches and therefore points out the clarity and determination in the very approach before we actually significantly increase the number of permanent deacons. In conclusion the article cautions of the urgency of a \u27central body\u27 for the purpose of logistics in pastoral activities. Namely, creating plans and models to realise them; implementing these plans; critically reviewing and evaluating them; supervision over pastoral workers - be they full-time or volunteers, could be conducted by a competent body or service in the diocesan community. We believe that it would be possible them to progress towards personalising pastoral care into smaller groups that would grow dynamically and mature for the personal good as well as for the good of the church\u27s mission in the world