Another Gem from Evangelii Gaudium

by Michael Sean Winters

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Paragraph 172 from Evangelii Gaudium presents a pastoral model that, well, might suggest holding an exorcism to demonstrate one's opposition to same-sex marriage is probably not be the best pastoral methodology. These are words for all to live by, but especially the Church's pastors: 
 

One who accompanies others has to real­ize that each person’s situation before God and their life in grace are mysteries which no one can fully know from without. The Gospel tells us to correct others and to help them to grow on the basis of a recognition of the objective evil of their actions (cf. Mt 18:15), but without making judgments about their responsibility and culpa­bility (cf. Mt 7:1; Lk 6:37). Someone good at such accompaniment does not give in to frustrations or fears. He or she invites others to let them­selves be healed, to take up their mat, embrace the cross, leave all behind and go forth ever anew to proclaim the Gospel. Our personal experi­ence of being accompanied and assisted, and of openness to those who accompany us, will teach us to be patient and compassionate with others, and to find the right way to gain their trust, their openness and their readiness to grow.

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