What does it mean to be “pastoral”?

by Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J. | Homiletic & Pastoral Review

The term “pastoral” comes from the Latin, pastor, meaning “shepherd,” and thus refers to the work and concern of the shepherd for his sheep.
 

In the current ecclesiastical jargon, what is the meaning of the word
“pastoral”?  The term was frequently used to describe Pope John Paul I
during his very short reign.  He was said to be a “pastoral” pope,
presumably because he was close to his people in Venice, and in his
first diocese, Vittorio Veneto.  The term also seemed to stand in
opposition to “curial,” since he had never been a part of the Roman
Curia, nor had he been a Vatican diplomat, such as his four
predecessors, Paul VI, John XXIII, Pius XI, and Pius XII.

Again, in the sad weeks between the sudden death of John Paul I, and
the election of Blessed John Paul II, much was said and written about
the need for a “pastoral” Pope.  When certain journalists, theologians
and ecclesiastics stress the need for a “pastoral” Pope, what do they
really mean?

The term “pastoral” comes from the Latin, pastor, meaning
“shepherd,” and thus refers to the work and concern of the shepherd for
his sheep.  Jesus referred to himself as “the Good Shepherd,” and to
those who believe in him, as his “sheep,” so the terminology is founded
on the very words of Christ.  Timothy and Titus, 1 and 2, are known as
the “pastoral epistles” since they present a series of
practical directives for the proper pastoral care of the Christian
communities at Ephesus and Crete.  “Pastoral theology” includes
everything connected with the priestly ministry to the faithful; it is a
practical science which tries to apply the revealed truths of our
faith, and the directives of the Magisterium, to the problems of daily
living.  Thus, the pastoral priest, according to this understanding, is a
practical man who instructs and helps his people lead a fully Christian
life so that they can finally attain eternal salvation.

Continue reading at www.HPRweb.com.