What does "pastoral" really mean?

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AtDawn

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In media, pope Francis is said to be “pastoral” and he wants bishops who are pastoral. What does this really mean?

Pastor is latin for shepherd. So he wants shepherds, rather than princes. But is it more to it than that?

Priests who are considered pastoral, like bishop Blase Cupich of Chicago, seems less interested in the political campaigning against abortions etc. Is “pastoral” a code word for “considering many religious matters to be private matters, something between the individual and the confessor rather than political”? Or something else?
 
I think it means tending their flock, rather than being “uppity” and prince-like. Part of a bishop’s job is to oversee the priests and religious in the diocese, but they sometimes forget another part of their job, which is to lead the people in faith. The bishop of my diocese is very down-to-earth and easy to talk to, while still having a sense of leading people towards holiness and union with God.
From my point of understanding, this is part of what pastoral means.
 
It seems to mean accepting people where thay are at rather than where we think they should be. And that is accomplished by spending a great deal of time with them to see from their perspective, knowing them more than judjing them.
 
It is not a code word. It means to act as a shepherd. The Good Shepherd is willing to leave the ninety-nine to seek the on sheep who is lost. The Holy Father is not an American politician. He should not be thought of as one. As a Jesuit, he speaks forthrightly, not in code.
 
A Bishop’s job is, by it’s very nature a mix of priestly duties and administrative ones. When the Pope calls on his Bishops to be more pastoral, he is reminding them not to get so absorbed by the administrative side of the job that they lose touch with the direct priestly contact with the people in the diocese - all of the people, not just the ones it is easy to reach. Of course, they can’t neglect their administrative duties either - that’s why they were chosen. But there has to be a balance.
 
“Neither do I condemn you (compassion). Go your way, and from now on do not sin again (conversion).” John 8:11

Compassion for this life , conversion for the next. Unfortunately many only look at the first part as pastoral but the warning against sin is also pastoral and equally done out of love.
 
Corki said:
A Bishop’s job is, by it’s very nature a mix of priestly duties and administrative ones. When the Pope calls on his Bishops to be more pastoral, he is reminding them not to get so absorbed by the administrative side of the job that they lose touch with the direct priestly contact with the people in the diocese - all of the people, not just the ones it is easy to reach. Of course, they can’t neglect their administrative duties either - that’s why they were chosen. But there has to be a balance.
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I agree with most every answer here, but Corki has knocked it out of the park. 👍
 
Some priests in Baltimore refused to support Humae Vitae. The bishop suspended them, and they appealed to Rome. Rome reinstated them with the instruction that bishops were to be “pastoral” rather than “judicial”; especially in regard to Catholics who were using artificial birth control. Aspirants to the office of bishop quickly learned to be “pastoral”.

However, when they were “pastoral” to priests accused of abusing minors - sending them to counseling rather than suspending them - they found that same rules didn’t apply.
 
Joe_Kelley said:
Some priests in Baltimore refused to support Humae Vitae. The bishop suspended them, and they appealed to Rome. Rome reinstated them with the instruction that bishops were to be “pastoral” rather than “judicial”; especially in regard to Catholics who were using artificial birth control. Aspirants to the office of bishop quickly learned to be “pastoral”.

However, when they were “pastoral” to priests accused of abusing minors - sending them to counseling rather than suspending them - they found that same rules didn’t apply.
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I would think not since abusing a minor is a violation of trust as well as a crime whereas using artificial birth control is not.
 
Lots of interesting replies, thanks! I was especially intrigued by this.
Joe_Kelley said:
Some priests in Baltimore refused to support Humae Vitae. The bishop suspended them, and they appealed to Rome. Rome reinstated them with the instruction that bishops were to be “pastoral” rather than “judicial”; especially in regard to Catholics who were using artificial birth control. Aspirants to the office of bishop quickly learned to be “pastoral”.
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Rome reinstated the priests, telling the bishop priests should be “pastoral” in regards to Catholics who used artificial birth control? This must be long ago. Humanae Vitae… 1968. Is there anything written on this, somewhere?
 
AtDawn said:
Lots of interesting replies, thanks! I was especially intrigued by this.

Rome reinstated the priests, telling the bishop priests should be “pastoral” in regards to Catholics who used artificial birth control? This must be long ago. Humanae Vitae… 1968. Is there anything written on this, somewhere?
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I read it in a book several years ago, but can’t remember the title or author now. As I recall it told the bishops to be “Pastoral” and the word was followed down the line. I remember that right after “Humanae Vitae” it was quickly known which priests would “be understand” about ABC and give on absolution.
 
I found an explanation of being pastoral - that pre-dates pope Francis - as being explaining, inviting, and focused on the curing of souls.
 
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