Chrześcijańskie braterstwo w świeckim społeczeństwie. Refleksje na podstawie nauczania Josefa Ratzingera

The basic values of contemporary societies such as dignity and human rights, equality, solidarity and justice have grown out of Christianity. Brotherhood also belongs to these values and its source is the Gospel of Christ. According to J. Ratzinger’s interpretation, it is a call to leave the confinement of our own self and turn to the ecclesial community as Christianity consists in “being for others”. Christians learn brotherhood in the Church, parish and apostolic communities. They serve others teaching them brotherhood through mission and invitation to the brotherly community and through agape and suffering. Christianity brings to the civic community the theologically justified idea of brotherhood and the experience of community in ecclesiastical structures.