A dimensão comunitária da fé cristã

: uma reflexão com Joseph Ratzinger

Abstract

Nowadays we witness a strong claim of subjectivity of the person, which tends to close him in individualism, making him unable to create true human relationships. This individualism obscures the relational dimension of the human being and leads him to close himself in his own world. Unlike traditional societies, in which the individual had as a reference the essentially community dimension, today we observe a process of destructuring and restructuring of social relations. In fact, relativism, which so characterizes modern societies, threatens to destroy the reference points on which the individual based his existence. It seems that there is no longer any point of reference, no truth; everything is, in a way, relative. To this, and in close connection with the affirmation of individualism, the phenomenon of subjectivization of faith is added.it is revealed in a growing number of Christians a lower sensitivity to the objective set of Christian doctrine, in favor of a subjective adherence to what pleases and that does not bother their own habits. Joseph Ratzinger, always attentive to these phenomena, and aware that they threaten the essentials of Christianity, presents the ecclesial dimension of the Christian faith as an inalienable dimension. It becomes increasingly indispensable to educate for the ecclesiality of the Christian faith. It is necessary to keep alive the sense of mutual belonging among Christians, through their common connection to Christ. The Christian community should be the place where the walls of individualism and loneliness are torn down. From here it highlights the fundamental relevance of the Christian community, it is paramount. There is no individual faith without a community of faith.

Date of Award	15 Feb 2023
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Domingos Terra (Supervisor)