A. Introduction

The “pastoral ministry” is the expression now preferred for the “cure” or “care of souls”, the “spiritual charge”, formerly too exclusively regarded as a clerical task (see Pastoral Theology). It is really the “ministry of salvation” (Vatican II, Christus Dominus, art. 35.), in the service of all men (see Salvation I), the basic charge of the Church (see Missions I), and incumbent according to their various states of life and offices, on al…