Deus Caritas Est: God is Love

ENCYCLICAL LETTER
DEUS CARITAS EST
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
BENEDICT XVI
TO THE BISHOPS
PRIESTS AND DEACONS
MEN AND WOMEN RELIGIOUS
AND ALL THE LAY FAITHFUL
ON CHRISTIAN LOVE

• INTRODUCTION

PART I

THE UNITY OF LOVE
IN CREATION
AND IN SALVATION HISTORY

• A problem of language

• “Eros” and “Agape” – difference and unity

• The newness of biblical faith

• Jesus Christ – the incarnate love of God

• Love,of God and love of neighbour

  PART II

  CARITAS

  THE PRACTICE OF LOVE
  BY THE CHURCH
  AS A “COMMUNITY OF LOVE”

• The Church's charitable activity as a manifestation of Trinitarian love

• Charity as a responsibility of the Church

• Justice and Charity

• The multiple structures of charitable service in the social context of the present day

• The distinctiveness of the Church's charitable activity

• Those responsible for the Church's charitable activity

• CONCLUSION