Search

This study focuses on incorporating the field of Caritas Theory (from German "Caritaswissenschaft"), which concentrates on the theological reflection of Christian charity, into study programs in social work. First, the article reflects on the study plans of relevant programs at pertinent universities in the European 10 Union. It distinguishes these as to whether they directly contain the study of Caritas Theory or of particular theological themes. It describes the origin of the field, which differs from Catholic Social Thought, and the current discourses within the field taking place in English as well as several other European languages (German, Spanish, Czech, Polish, Hungarian). Finally, it systematizes, reflects on, and evaluates the relationship of the field to education in social work. The basic criterion is the actual contribution of Caritas Theory for studying social work. The study identifies overall four concepts of the relationship of this field to social work – the conception of "Christian social work," the complementary model, the conception of structural similarity, and the transdisciplinary approach. According to the study, only two of these, however, fulfill the criterion of an actual contribution to studying social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jürgen Ebach, Hans Martin Dober, and Albrecht Grözinger have argued for the appropriation of Walter Benjamin's philosophy into homiletics. In this article, I first look at their proposal in all its diversity. I then turn to a striking shift in Benjamin's philosophical development. Subsequently, I contend that the argument for such an appropriation of Benjamin can be sharpened even more by considering precisely this shift. The article concludes with my own proposal for appropriating Benjamin's philosophy. It shows that Benjamin's approach helps answer a central pastoral question in homiletics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a conference on the history of Catholic clergy in 19th-century Prussia, held in Wrocław, Poland, from August 6-9, 2012. Topics of discussion included the pastoral education of priests by Polish seminary leader Simon Sobiech, Catholic priests in predominantly Protestant regions of Prussia, and church work with industrial workers in Silesia during the era of the Kulturkampf in Germany.

The article discusses the concept of autobahnkirche, churches located off of German high speed ways called autobahns within the context of pastoral theology vis a vis postmodern observation. The main thrusts of the article are to discuss the heuristics of a heterotopological and topological concept and to revise spiritual inquiries on the topic. According to the author, the current status of church communities depends on the location as well milieu in evaluating their position in popular religiosity. A list of such communities and a map of their locations is also presented including Berlin, Hamburg, and Dresden.

The article summarizes the pastoral accomplishments and motives of Moravian Church co-founder and leader August Gottlieb Spangenberg. Drawing on Spangenberg's autobiographical sketches, letters, poems, and addresses, as well as his discussions in the Unity Elders' Conference, the author traces the pastor's career among students at the University of Jena, Germany, his work with missions in North America, and his leadership of the European Moravian Church. The fundamentals of his Christian religious creed are also outlined.

The article discusses the therapeutic concepts and the scientification of pastoral care in the West German Catholic Church. It focuses on the use of psychological techniques for purposes of therapeutic intervention from the broad range of scientific approaches employed by the Catholic Church in the Federal Republic. It also deals with the psychologization of Catholic pastoral particularly with respect to the reception and acceptance of psychoanalysis, which explains why the practical application of psychotherapeutic and group dynamic models within pastoral care become increasingly popular from the late 1960s. The application of therapeutic concepts in Catholic pastoral setting is also presented.

Nine regions in the HyStarter competition in Germany have been selected to be supported in developing a local network of actors as well as a hydrogen concept for their region. HyStarter is part of the 'HyLand – Hydrogen Regions in Germany' funding measure from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]