Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Pastoral Catechetical Journal (JPKAT)

This edition of the journal opens with an in-depth study of social theology, pastoral care, and cultural inculturation. The first article by Rikha Emyya Gurusinga, Regina Dipa Gurusinga, and Armenda Barus, entitled Living Unconditional Love: The Concept of ‘Caritas’ in Catholic Teaching and Its Impact on Pluralistic Society, highlights how the value of ‘caritas’ serves as an ethical foundation for building dialogue and solidarity amid diversity. The discussion continues with a focus on humanitarian pastoral work through an article by Astina Vebriani Pasaribu, Vinsensius M. Junior Situmorang, Fransiskus Bala Kleden, and Georgius Ture entitled "Church Dialogue with the Society Socialis (Sos) Children's Villages of Flores Waturia, Maumere, which discussed the strategic role of the Church in providing spiritual support and empowerment for children who have lost parental care. Complementing the theme of faith encounters and local contexts, Tedjo Setiyoko, Valentino Dwika Damara, Yly Suardy, Yulius Roge Paliling, and Herkulana M. Soeryamassoka present an article on the Inculturation of the Catholic Church with Dayak Pompakang Culture in the Ngongkat Salib Procession: A Religious Sociology Perspective by Robert J. Schreiter, which describes the transformation of Christian symbols that are authentically integrated with Dayak cultural identity.

The next section highlights the dimensions of social identity and canonical law aspects in sacramental ministry. Yongki Saputra and Juliana Sriana Sinaga present an analysis entitled Social Identity, Identity Complexity, and Synodality: An Interfaith Study in the Context of Religious Moderation in Indonesia, which offers a framework of synodality to enrich the paradigm of inclusive religious moderation. The focus on church law and pastoral challenges is discussed by Marianus Rago Kristeno and Yohanes Wilson B. Lena Meo in the article “Catholic Marriage as a Sacrament: A Study of Church Law in the Context of Religious Pluralism in East Barito,” which examines the application of canonical norms of marriage amid customary practices and a pluralistic society. 

Next is an article by Yanto Sandy Tjang and Mayong Andreas Acin entitled The Sacrament of Baptism in the Perspective of Church Canon Law and Pastoral Care: A Case Study on the Responsibility of Sacrament Ministers, which normatively examines the responsibility of sacrament ministers regarding administrative issues such as the baptism of adopted children and church archives in order to ensure legal certainty and spiritual salvation. This article concludes with Heribertus Pius Buto and Robertus Mirsel examining the story of Abraham's hospitality in welcoming his guests, which is in line with the voice of the church in Pope Francis' encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, where hospitality is the foundation of brotherhood and friendship in communal life.