The priest as instrument of God’s mercy in the thought of Pope John Paul II

Abstract

The research leading to the composition of the dissertation entails an examination of the life events, the words and the writings of John Paul II which constitute his theology of mercy shedding light upon the merciful ministry of the priest. The dissertation studies briefly what influenced Wojtyła, and later on, John Paul II’s life and theology in promoting so much God’s mercy to the world and in particular in the life of the priest in various speeches and writings with particular focus on his encyclical Dives in Misericordia. The dissertation then studies in detail John Paul II’s Trinitarian and Scriptural foundations on God’s mercy as the basis of his merciful theology of the priesthood. All Israelite history was an experience of mercy reaching its culmination and full revelation in the Christ Event and which continues to be lived in the Church in all the faithful and served through the priest’s ministry and life. The mystery and gift of the priest unfolds to today’s world God’s merciful face through the pastoral ministry of love and care of the holistic person. The priesthood, which is rooted in the Trinitarian experience of love and mercy, starts in the merciful call of God to the candidate to the priesthood and continues to unfold itself in all that the priest as pastor does, teaches, celebrates and lives. The priest is called to be filled with God’s mercy in order to be at its service in ministering to others. The principal ministry of mercy in the life of the priest is the sacrament of Confession. This ministry is, primarily, an experience of mercy for the priest himself who must strive to receive constantly God’s mercy in this sacrament and who is also called to be its instrument and servant in his role of a merciful confessor in the salvation and renewal of souls. Ultimately, the dissertation aims to show the primal role of the priest as instrument of God’s mercy in the Church which serves as the salt of the earth in creating a more positive and hopeful society which transcends itself.