Moralne aspekty duszpasterstwa osób w separacji i po rozwodzie

The aim of this article is to juxtapose the pastoral care of the divorced who have entered into new relationships and the pastoral care of the divorced or separated who have not remarried. To achieve this aim, it was necessary to make a moral evaluation of both divorce and separation. The assertion that separation, in general, is the ultimate solution to dramatic marital problems, brings out the right shape of these two areas of pastoral ministry. The pastoral care of the separated should offer healing to the emotional wounds left by marital crises and help strengthen the attitude of fidelity in the context of solitude. The pastoral care of the divorced, on the other hand, should involve two directions – encouraging the break up with their partner and to making a commitment to live in chastity. These directions usually apply to two extreme stages of a human life; firstly, to people who have just entered into a new relationship, and secondly, to the elderly or ailing. If none of the above is a choice, the intention of the pastoral response is to spiritually assist, individually or collectively, couples so that they can retain a relationship with the Church. The juxtaposition of the two areas of pastoral ministry shows more clearly some of the challenges and inspires priests to develop a more sensitive morality. It must be remembered, however, that the pastoral care of the divorced-remarried must never compromise fidelity to the marital vows shared by separated people or the divorced who live a single life.