Updated
kac june 27, 2007

 

 

Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road

Recently the Vatican released the "10 Commandments for Drivers." The actual 36-page document is entitled, Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road contains information on the moral aspects of driving as well as exploring the images of the "road" in Sacred Scripture.

Although the media has focused on the guidelines for drivers, the document also expresses the church's commitment to social justice for others found on the "street," including prostitutes, runaways, and the homeless.

The document is an excellent resource to use with teens that are either preparing for their driver's license or are new drivers. It also compliments catechetical programs on Catholic Social Teaching.

The Drivers Ten Commandments

1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communication between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible towards others.