Persepsi Identitas Diri sebagai Anggota Gereja di Kalangan Orang Muda Katolik

Abstract

The issue of identity as a member of the Church comes to the fore and is purified when placed within the framework of diversity and relationships with other ecclesiastical communities. Ecumenism is an effort to restore the unity of the Christian Church that emerges from the diversity of the Christian communities. In this case, identity as a member of a particular Church can actually grow and be enriched by these relationships. This article explores the self-perception of young Catholics as members of the Catholic Church amidst the diversity of the ecclesiastical communities. Using Paul Murray’s concept of Catholic learning, it observes how young people discover the uniqueness of their existence as members of the Catholic Church. Within this perspective, the Church instills an attitude of mutual respect and acceptance of the elements of truth within the Church itself and within other ecclesiastical communities. The author observes the ways of carrying out the Catholic learning by conducting an exploration of perceptions of self-identity among the Catholics, which aim to build an attitude of mutual respect, mutual acceptance, and mutual enrichment of each other. In this effort, the focus is directed towards young people who can be expected to witness as well as to learn from other ecclesiastical communities and that dialogue can be a means of purifying their identity.