The intellectual formation of future pastors should be at a high substantive level, which also depends on lecturers of broadly understood pastoral didactics in the field of pastoral theology, liturgy and church music, homiletics, catechetics and pedagogy, pastoral care of families, pastoral psychology and pastoral medicine, who have their own methodological apparatus. Pastoral theology, as a scientific discipline, appeared only in modern times. It is not just a set of indications, experiences and methods. It`s a scientific reflection on the daily growth of the Church, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the context of history. It has the status of a full-fledged theological discipline. The article presents the progenitors of Silesian pastoralists and the scientific and practical activities of pastoralist theologians directly related to the diocese and archdiocese of Katowice until the establishment of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Silesia. They made a major contribution to the development of this discipline of theology.

Pastoral theology is the doctrine that develops, in light of Divine Revelation and the analysis of the current situation of the Church, the principles and pastoral directives guiding the Church in fulfilling her redemptive mission in the current situation. In this context, the significance of pastoral theology as a theology of the living Church, both in academic study and practical application, cannot be overstated. This article outlines the stages of its practice at the Higher Silesian Seminary in Cracow and Katowice, and at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Silesia, considering the evolution of pastoral theology in Poland since the revival of the Second Polish Republic. The research work and teaching activities in these institutions highlight the role of pastoral theology in the scientific formation of the Church's self-awareness, which enhances various forms of pastoral ministry.

From the beginning of its existence, the Faculty of Theology of the University of Silesia in Katowice has adopted, among its priorities, the support of the work of catechization. This is reflected both in the presence of catechetics among the subjects
included in the university curriculum, as well as in scientific publications, conferences organized and various forms of cooperation with the external environment. The aim of this study is to present these activities in the perspective of the 25th anniversary of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Silesia and the centenary of setting up the Diocese of Katowice to be celebrated in 2025.

The preaching of the word of God generates and develops faith, which is essential for salvation. Consequently, presbyters “have a primary responsibility to proclaim God’s Gospel to all” (DK 4). In the contemporary era, characterized by numerous intellectual currents and challenges to human faith, and in view of the call to a new evangelization, homiletic formation has assumed particular significance. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the trajectory of development and pedagogical principles in homiletic theology over the past century within the (Arch)Diocese of Katowice. The study comprises three main sections. The initial section addresses terminological clarifications. The subsequent sections present an outline of the evolution
of homiletic theology within the (Arch)Diocese of Katowice. The final section highlights the contributions of individual homileticians and their activities within and beyond the Faculty of Theology of the University of Silesia in Katowice.

At the Faculty of Theology of the University of Silesia, which has existed since 2001 ‒ in addition to the dominant theological research – research on the family is constantly conducted. Their intensity increased after the family studies program was established in 2009. The Faculty of Theology of the University of Silesia academics have published many scientific publications on marriage and family issues. They present the results of research carried out in such scientific disciplines as: theological sciences, biblical sciences, canon law, psychology, pedagogy, history, and philosophy. Family science students can also boast of considerable scientific activity.

The article shows the specificity of the theology of spirituality in its structure as a theological sub-discipline and its links with other areas of theology. Central to the text is a review of structural solutions in ecclesiastical universities and (Catholic) theological faculties in the world and in Poland regarding the positioning of the theology of spirituality in the organisation of research and didactics, both in basic, undergraduate (Canonical Bachelor) and doctoral studies in theology, as well as in other forms of education. The research carried out leads to conclusions: the theology of spirituality needs to interact with other theological sub-disciplines and the extra-theological human and cultural sciences. At the same time, a solid study of the theology of spirituality serves the life and renewal of the Church.

The contemporary Church is experiencing an undeniable crisis of the pastoral identity of the priest. This crisis, however, does not imply a decrease in the significance of priestly ministry to the life and development of Church communities. Indeed, thanks to the ministry of official priesthood exercised in its fullest dimension by presbyters, the Church remains in an inner communion with Christ and receives his grace. An understanding of the bearing of pastoral ministry on the ecclesial community contributed to a systematic crystallizing ‒ on the basis of the Christian tradition ‒ of the elementary framework of pastoral presbyterology i.e. the science of the presbyter as a preacher of the word, the minister of sacraments and the leader of the community of the faithful entrusted to his care. The pastoral presbyterology that emerges from the magisterial pronouncements is naturally not of a “bookish” character. Thus, it is requires systematization and organization. The present study is an attempt to meet this task in accordance with the methodological requirements of scholarly pastoral reflection on the daily growth of the Church in the power of the Holy Spirit in the context of history.

The European Union has 27 Member States. In 8 EU countries religion lessons are obligatory in public schools and in 15 they are optional. In 6 EU countries, religion can be an elective subject for the maturity exam. The teaching of religion only in some countries, such as Poland recently, is at the crossroads of intersecting ideological influencesand the Churches’ concern for the full education of the young European. A scholar who made a significant contribution to the understanding and identity formation of the teaching of Catholic religion in Europe, and especially in Italy, was Emilio Alberich Sotomayor
SDB. His publications of educational, and therefore cultural, significance have helped to characterise the teaching of Catholic religion as an academic discipline and as a school subject. Culture in the general sense means everything with which man perfects and develops the manifold talents of his spirit and body. An introduction to the cultural framing of the teaching of Catholic religion in the European Union from an Italian perspective seeks systemic solutions to foster the maturation of the personality in the religious dimension in order to discover and design one's own place in society and in history.

Preaching the word of God is one of the main tasks of the Catholic Church. In order for the clergy to be able to fulfil this task assigned by Christ well, they should listen to the needs and voices of the believers entrusted to their pastoral care. The development
of homiletics requires constant improvement and searching for some new ways of preaching the Word of God in the modern world, and the synod on synodality initiated by Pope Francis is a very good tool in the Church for making preaching activities better. The aim of the article is to analyse the statements of the people of the Archdiocese of Katowice referring to the preaching of the Word of God. It requires firstly the discussion of the course of the synodal process and then the analysis of the synodal statements, which will allow to formulate the necessary conclusions and postulates.

The article addresses the problem of protecting individuals and families through education in evangelical values, emphasizing the role of the family as the fundamental and irreplaceable environment for life, development, and upbringing. The issue is analysed in the context of contemporary challenges faced by individuals and families in Poland, aiming to respond to these challenges through Christian education. The Church’s teaching and pastoral activity in support of families hold significant potential to assist them in fulfilling their role of raising individuals according to timeless and universal evangelical values. These values contribute to the protection of families and individuals and promote liberation from destructive attitudes and behaviours. The conclusions of the analysis highlight the need for tangible support for families, kindergartens, and schools, as well as the enhancement of early childhood education. This includes utilizing the scientific and practical achievements of Christian pedagogy, the teachings of the Church, various forms of pastoral care for families, and the integration of educational activities across these environments.

The lack of full awareness of artificial procreation methods and the easy access to them through current infertility “treatment” programmes is causing unimaginable destruction of the most basic social cell: the family. Therefore, in order to realise the extent of the aforementioned destructive impact of these methods, the article shows their consequences in a psychological-moral perspective, which are: “mutilation of love” through the denial of the place that rightfully belongs to the child, the destruction of motherhood and the destruction of fatherhood.

This article offers a rudimentary analysis of selected texts by Augustine in order to explore the semantic richness of the word persona (“person”). It examines three key dimensions of perception in the works of the eminent ancient thinker from Tagaste ‒ Bishop of Hippo: persona in the socio-anthropological context, persona in Christological discourse, and persona in Trinitarian discourse. The conclusion highlights the importance of Augustine’s theological thought for contemporary reflections on the person called to life by Love and for love.

This text outlines the scientific and educational activities of the liturgy lecturers from the Faculty of Theology at the University of Silesia in Katowice until 2024. Their academic biographies will be reconstructed, and their teaching, scientific, and organizational contributions will be highlighted.

The aim of the article is to present the model of pastoral accompaniment developed in the Family Ministry of the Archdiocese of Katowice. The foundation of priestly ministry is striving to imitate Christ – the Good Shepherd, by caring for the family, which faces many threats in the modern world. The method that yields the best results in family ministry is the joint effort of both the clergy and laity. An important element of all formative programs and pastoral activities is working together with married couples, which, due to their experience, testimony, and authenticity resulting from successfully navigating the trials of everyday life, become a model and a source of inspiration – both for engaged and married couples – at all stages of family life. The aim of the Family Ministry of the Archdiocese of Katowice is to help families form, shape, develop, and overcome difficulties and crises in the spirit of
God’s love. The pastoral care for the family inside the Ministry begins even before the engaged couple unites in the sacrament of marriage. The key objective in pastoral care is the ongoing formation of families, which are to be both evangelized and
ready to evangelize, thus becoming the subject of pastoral ministry. Within the Archdiocese, there are formation programs organized for engaged as well as married couples, families with children, and mature married couples facing new developmental
crises. Pastoral accompaniment also involves priests supporting childless couples and families in difficult and irregular situations (broken families, incomplete families, and individuals in free or non-sacramental unions). In order to provide families with the best professional care possible, the Family Ministry of the Archdiocese of Katowice collaborates with the Light-Life Movement, the Natural Family Planning Institute, doctors, adoption centers, specialists from various fields, and the Przystań Psychological Counseling Center. Thanks to the adequate training and spiritual formation of all individuals involved in assisting families, the Family Ministry of the Archdiocese of Katowice can offer support not only in their development and daily functioning but also in difficult and challenging situations.