Being Pastoral

We are finishing our Pastoral Ministry course. Very good course, studying and reading various documents (esp. the VII docs). We DO need to be pastoral. It is what the world needs...

What is being pastoral?
Loving, caring, compassionate, understanding, empathetic ~ Absolutely!!!
Accepting ~ Yes & NO
Accepting of the human being ~ a profound YES!
Accepting of the things that destroy the spirit, soul & heart of the human being ~ NO WAY!
As always, Cardinal Ratzinger has some comments and clarity on this matter:

The take-away:

"In the end, only the TRUTH can be pastoral."

As Pope John XXIII stated in his opening comments to the Council of Vatican II, on Oct. 11, 1962:

"The greatest concern of the Ecumenical Council is this: that the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine should be guarded and taught more efficaciously."

NOW...
...take Pope John XXIII's comments along with Cdl. Ratzinger's and see where that leads you!