Caritas: Powerful Ecclesiastical Salvific Action

Abstract

This paper discusses the meaning of 'caritas' and 'diaconia'. The first part deals with general challenges in diaconal practices today, particularly in light of the two encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI about love (caritas): Deus Caritas Est and Caritas in Veritate. One of the main challenges is to avoid forms of dualistic thinking about diaconal action. The author shows how mercy accompanies active engagement, how spirituality is not detached from diaconal praxis, and how various tasks of the church are interrelated. The author shows how diaconia is a cornerstone of the church that cannot be neglected in favour of catechesis or liturgy. She also explains how Christian spirituality is not only a driving force behind diaconal practice, but that it may also be found and expressed by engaging in diaconia. Whereas the encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI can help to avoid dualistic thinking in many ways, the author warns of the danger of legitimising the dualism between charity and justice on the basis of these encyclicals. She argues that the meaning of justice in relation to Christian social services and love of individuals need to be given an adequate place. She does not give an overview of possible meanings of justice in relation to Catholic social teaching, but argues that a reflection in terms of power within diaconal actions may be an extra, and often forgotten, aspect of justice. In the second part of this paper the author shows how various meanings of power can play a role in the reflection on diaconal practice. She describes four ways of looking at power in diaconal actions: (1) While diaconal relations are always asymmetrical, it is nevertheless very important that receivers of social services are empowered to give to others; (2) The identity of the pastor or diaconal worker includes aspects of power. The shepherd metaphor and sacrificial giving are discussed in this context; (3) Diaconal actions are also influenced by society and institutions, which exercise, in Foucault's terminology, a form of 'disciplinary power'; (4) Finally, the author describes how diaconal workers are often privileged by various aspects of their social identity, which gives them a certain form of power. Acknowledging these various power (im)balances may improve the quality and justice of care for vulnerable people.