Community in South Africa: A Pastoral Tool of the Local Catholic Church

Abstract

This article is about the Catholic community in South Africa and a suitable pastoral tool of the Local Catholic Church. It exposes numerous issues that the community faces, such as a lack of cohesiveness, absenteeism, hostility, and gossip which permeate it. These are human-made problems that harm or impede the progress of the community. They are the result of human disregard for God's original plan. Despite these issues, the article explores and identifies the community as a significant instrument used by the "local Catholic church in South Africa" to enhance pastoral care in the church. The community is preferred over the family since it is larger. There should not be any divisions inside the Church or community body. As members of the body of Christ, either collectively as a congregation or individually, the members should be equally concerned about one another and love one another. Because when one portion of the body suffers, the entire body suffers along with it, and when one component is honored, the entire body rejoices. Each one of the church communities makes up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:15- 17). The article's technique is based upon a critical assessment of the social predicament of the people in South Africa in Catholic parishes. It is essential for all members in any community to serve one another as best they can. The Community must promote the Church’s mission to live and communicate the agape and values of Christ in the world. It must share in the accountability of the ongoing life and development of the Catholic faith and must therefore work together with parishioners to deliver support for their endeavors to live as true followers of Jesus Christ.