Deus caritas est

Deus Caritas Est (Latin for " God is [ the ] love," 1 John 4:8 b EU ) of 25 December 2005 ( published on 25 January 2006) was the first of three encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI. She sits down with the concept of love in different dimensions apart.

Content

The encyclical is divided into two parts: The first part deals with the love of God to man and man's response, as well as the love between people, their top form had conjugal love. So there are both among people and in relation of man to God a " desiring " Love and a " bestowing " love. The encyclical refers to this difference with the concepts of eros and agape, the Eros rather sensual moment of love and agape refers to the spiritual devotion to the person of the beloved or God: There we encounter " the two basic words Eros as a representation of, worldly ' love and agape as an expression of faith in the founding and shaped by him love. Both are often contrasted as, ascending 'and' descending ' love one another; related to it are other organizations such as the distinction between desiring and giving love ( amor concupiscentiae - amor benevolentiae ). , which then sometimes even the intent on the benefits of love is added " (No. 7)

The second part deals with the Christian charity. God and love of neighbor " belong together so that the assertion of God's love becomes a lie when man closes his neighbor or hate even him." (No. 16) Both the helpfulness of the individual towards the needy and the organized form of charity ( " charity " ) are according to the Pope's view of meaning.

Reception

The encyclical was published on 25 January 2006. The first reactions to the encyclical were largely positive. Almost unanimously welcomed that the Pope so that the basic message of the Christian faith turn to and, as in the " core competence " of the Church accreting: the message of loving devotion of God to the people and the human response to God 's love and charity.