Search Results (103)

If God cares and is present, can God use pain and suffering in my life? Absolutely. Does this mean that God planned, ordained, or designed the pain (or cancer) to be instrumental in my life for some sort of higher spiritual purpose? If so, why? Why does God allow cancer to invade and interrupt one’s life? There are no theologically sound or definitive answers to these questions. Although asking such questions is basic to our humanity, as we will observe in various passages of Scripture, the answers will always remain elusive. Instead of seeking to answer the question “why?”, I will suggest two areas for theological and pastoral reflection with respect to those facing cancer: humility and hope. Enduring cancer, from diagnosis through treatment, requires humility in mind and body before our Creator and before our caregivers. Cancer also provides an opportunity for Christians to embed themselves in the hope of resurrection and new creation. Resurrection hope is also not reduced to hope beyond death but hope that is manifested now through embodied resurrection “signs” and actions of human sacrificial love, both received and practiced by the patient undergoing illness and by the patient’s caregivers, family, and friends. Full article

High-quality end-of-life care (EoLC) is a critical yet often underemphasised component of oncology care. Several shortcomings in the delivery of EoLC for oncology patients in our centre during the COVID-19 pandemic were identified in our initial 2021 audit. In 2022, we introduced a care of dying patients proforma, an EoLC quality checklist, targeted education and training for staff, and an expanded end-of-life (EoL) committee. This re-audit aimed to review how these changes impacted on the care received by patients in a tertiary cancer centre. A second retrospective re-audit of patients who died between 11 July 2022 and 30 April 2023 was performed to assess quality of EoLC using the Oxford Quality indicators. A total of 72 deaths occurred over the audit period. Quality of EoLC improved significantly when compared to the initial audit (χ² (3, n = 138) = 9.75, p = 0.021). Exploration of patients’ wishes was documented in 48.8% and referral to pastoral care was documented in 68.3%, from 24.2% and 10.6%, respectively. The proportion of patients receiving poor EoLC reduced from 21.2% to 8.3%. Our study demonstrates the benefits of simple interventions, the importance of re-audit, and the role of ongoing interdisciplinary commitment to improving EoLC for our patients. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most influential and rapidly developing phenomena of our time. New fields of study are being created at universities, and managers are constantly introducing new AI solutions for business management, marketing, and advertising new products. Unfortunately, AI is also used to promote dangerous political parties and ideologies. The research problem that is the focus of this work is expressed in the following question: How does the symbiotic relationship between artificial and natural intelligence manifest across three dimensions of human experience—philosophical understanding, educational practice, and pastoral care—and what hermeneutical, phenomenological, and critical realist insights can illuminate both the promises and perils of this emerging co-evolution? In order to address this issue, an interdisciplinary research team was established. This team comprised a philosopher, an educator, and a pastoral theologian. This study is grounded in a critical–hermeneutic meta-analysis of the existing literature, ecclesial documents, and empirical investigations on AI. The results of scientific research allow for a broader insight into the impact of AI on humans and on personal relationships in Christian communities. The authors are concerned not only with providing an in-depth understanding of the issue but also with taking into account the ecumenical perspective of religious, social, and cultural education of contemporary Christians. Our analysis reveals that cultivating a healthy symbiosis between artificial and natural intelligence requires specific competencies and ethical frameworks. We therefore conclude with practical recommendations for Christian formation that neither uncritically embrace nor fearfully reject AI, but rather foster wise discernment for navigating this unprecedented co-evolutionary moment in human history. Full article

This article describes the design and implementation of a Specialized Mental Health Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program for clergy and theological students of all spiritual, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Addressing the need for mental health competencies in religious leaders and chaplains, this training equips participants with specialized skills in individual and group mental health spiritual assessment and spiritual care. Program participants become effective members of a multiprofessional team, gain knowledge of mental health philosophies of concordant and discordant spiritual orienting systems, and gain greater relational capacity. The Mental Health CPE Program includes traditional and novel CPE elements: (1) clinical practice, (2) group and individual supervision, (3) didactic presentations and journal clubs, (4) verbatim (Protocols of patient encounters) and case presentations, (5) group leadership training and practica, and (6) experience of faith reflections. This article provides insights into the origins of CPE, a description of the implementation in a free-standing psychiatric hospital, and observed developmental changes of program participants. We include graduates’ anecdotal feedback about their learning experience and its impact on their leadership in chaplaincy and in religious communities. Additionally, we report on areas for future development and further study of the effectiveness of Mental Health CPE. Full article

This study examines the exercise of religious freedom within the Polish penitentiary system, focusing on the intersection of legal frameworks, religious pluralism, and secularization. While Poland’s Constitution and penal legislation guarantee inmates the right to practice their faith, the practical implementation of this right faces systemic challenges. This research draws on legal analysis, demographic data, and existing empirical studies to assess how pastoral care operates in prisons. The findings reveal that although the prison system is formally open to various denominations, access to non-Catholic chaplaincy is often limited and misaligned with the evolving religious composition of the inmate population, especially following increased immigration. The number of chaplains and volunteers remains low relative to the needs of inmates, and pastoral services vary widely across regions. Despite these issues, religious involvement is shown to support rehabilitation by fostering moral development and reducing recidivism. This study concludes that a more inclusive, pluralistic, and flexible approach to prison ministry—one that accounts for both declining religiosity and growing diversity—is essential. Chaplaincy must adapt not only as a provider of religious rites but also as a facilitator of ethical reflection, emotional support, and reintegration into a secular and pluralistic society. Full article

Marital crises are common and can arise at any stage of marriage. When facing difficulties, many spouses seek support from religious communities, which provide spiritual and emotional guidance. These communities play a vital role in marriage preparation and helping couples navigate crises. In response to rising divorce rates, changing gender roles, and economic pressures, religious communities are adapting their pastoral methods. One innovative approach is storytelling, which allows couples to connect with others’ experiences, helping rebuild trust and understanding in their marriages. This article explores the role of storytelling as a tool for supporting couples in crisis, particularly in the context of religious pastoral care, focusing on its impact on communication, marital bonding, and spiritual growth. Full article

Youth pastoral care is a part of the Church’s pastoral mission directed towards men and women who can be categorised as young people. Young people were the central theme of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, held in Rome from 3 to 28 October 2018, under the motto Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment. Based on an analysis of the preparatory and final documents of the Synod—particularly the Preparatory Document, Instrumentum Laboris, Final Document, Christus Vivit—as well as relevant scientific analyses and interpretations, we have identified the most significant societal challenges facing the youth, along with the key guidelines and recommendations of the Synod for working with them. The motivation for writing this article arises from the fact that the Synod on Youth, which took place in Rome from 3 to 28 October 2018, under the theme “Youth, Faith, and Vocational Discernment,” did not generate significant interest within the Church in Croatia. This is evidenced by several indicators: the responses of young people to the questionnaire sent to all bishops’ conferences were never published; there has been a lack of relevant commentary, articles, or academic studies on the Synod; and among the many pre- and post-synodal documents, only “Christus vivit” has been translated into Croatian. Given that youth ministry plays an important role in the pastoral activities of the Church in Croatia, we sought to explore whether, and to what extent, the core recommendations of the Synod on Youth continue to be reflected in current pastoral work with young people in the country. Our approach involved analysing the pre- and post-synodal documents from the Synod on Youth to identify key recommendations for youth ministry. We then examined the current youth pastoral programs in seven (arch)dioceses, as well as the pastoral plans of the Youth Office of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference, through the lens of the Synod’s main recommendations. Analytical, descriptive, and critical methods were used in the research. The analysis of the aforementioned youth pastoral programs confirmed that the most important guidelines and recommendations of the Synod, although some only partially, are integrated into youth pastoral care in Croatia. Full article

In the twentieth century and into the present one, scholars working in the field of Christian pastoral care have concentrated their efforts in both well-established and emerging areas. Traditionally, thinking about pastoral care has been oriented to the person suffering from an existential, developmental, spiritual, or moral crisis (or a combination of these). With the emergence of the psychotherapeutic psychology of Freud, Jung, Erikson, Kohut, Berne, Perls, and others, a new focus on pastoral psychotherapy emerged. Taking things in a very different direction, a host of pastoral theologians issued a call to not only care for the individual, but also for the socio-political world that is oppressive and exclusionary for many. Still others promoted pastoral care and counseling as a ministry of the Christian Church. Finally, those animated by the ancient tradition of cura animarum accented pastoral care as spiritual formation. It is to these latter two themes that this article is addressed. What is proposed is a practical prompt card approach to spiritual formation in the congregation that is holistic and runs in the first instance over six to eight weeks. The four areas covered are spiritual practices, spiritual character (fruits of the Spirit), moral character, and positive psychology. Full article

Background: In 2021, Taiwan’s healthcare workers faced significant stress due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to enhance healthcare workers’ self-awareness of their stress and improve their work efficiency by using symphonic poetry to inspire resilience. Methods: This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with a panel of physicians, nurses, and specialist nurses. The interviews were conducted using ATLAS—ti 7.5 qualitative analysis software for content analysis. Participants must have attended the “Meeting Mahler, Meeting Myself” concert organized by the medical center. The concert was based on the poetry from the fifth movement of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”, and included symphonic poetry and a manual. The manual combined pictures and a complementary interview guide to facilitate participants sharing their pandemic experiences and health. Results: A total of 19 healthcare workers participated in the interviews. All participants had attended the institute’s symphonic poetry concert “Meeting Mahler, Meeting Myself”. The average age of the participants was 44.1 ± 11.4 years, and their average working experience was 19.1 ± 13.1 years. The group included nine physicians (47.4%), eight nurses (42.1%), and two specialist nurses (10.5%). The results were categorized into three major themes: “Pandemic-Induced Physical and Mental Exhaustion”, “Symphonic Poetry as a Tool for Building Resilience”, and “Enhancing Mental Toughness to Overcome Adversity”. Conclusions: Healthcare workers experienced stress and exhaustion during the pandemic. Symphonic poetry can serve as a supportive tool to inspire resilience and enhance mental toughness among healthcare professionals facing pandemic-related challenges. Full article

Interpretations of the Book of Revelation were extremely popular in the 16th century, not least due to the precarious situation of Protestantism in Europe. In these contexts, the Revelation of John was of utmost importance to the issue of pastoral care in the early modern period, despite the intensive discussions about its canonicity. It contained the most detailed explanations of what awaited Christians after their death and how the events of the end times would unfold until the return of Christ. The perspective of what to expect after death was of great pastoral, and therefore, theological importance. One of the most important commentaries was the ‘Hundred Sermons on the Apocalypse’ by the Zurich-born reformer Heinrich Bullinger. This article examines the biblical concepts of the future that Bullinger identified, as well as the reformer’s own emphases and their practical implications. This article combines, therefore, the flourishing history of the reception of the Bible with the history of Christian conceptions of the future—and its pastoral implications—that have yet to be applied to the Swiss Reformation. Full article

This article explores the evolution of Jewish–Christian dialogue in the Roman Catholic Church, focusing on the theological and pastoral contributions of three post-Vatican II Popes—John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. Beginning with the transformative Nostra Ætate declaration of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), this study examines how each Pope uniquely advanced Jewish–Christian relations through doctrinal development, symbolic gestures, and interreligious dialogue. John Paul II’s performative theology emphasized reconciliation and outreach, significantly enhancing Jewish–Christian relations through groundbreaking gestures and public declarations. Benedict XVI sought to deepen the theological foundations of Jewish–Christian dialogue, integrating it into broader Roman Catholic theology while navigating challenges of reception due to his intellectual style. Francis emphasized relational warmth, shared ethical commitments, and a theology of reconciliation, fostering a more inclusive and dialogical approach to interreligious engagement. By analysing the continuities and discontinuities in the approaches of these three Popes, this article highlights the dynamic interplay between theology, symbolism, and pastoral care in advancing Jewish–Christian relations, offering a comprehensive overview of a pivotal era in interreligious dialogue. Full article

Pastoral supervision and spiritual direction are inherently personal in nature. They reveal a transformative life of spiritual and soul care demanding the formation of theological reflection, healing, guidance, and discernment. Whilst pastoral supervision serves to guide theological reflection on service and mission, spiritual direction facilitates the moments of awakening to the presence and narrative of God’s grace and work in the depths of the soul. Under the light of Catholic Social Teaching, the notions of solidarity and subsidiarity will be pressed into service to unveil a common spiritual–theological foundation animating the roots of both these ministries. To understand the common dynamics of pastoral supervision and spiritual direction, the article develops a spiritual theology to reveal that both ministries, however distinct in practice, share the same incarnational (creative) and redemptive (re-creative) qualities. In other words, they both share the same source, root, origin, or existence in God’s word and grace. This comes to light by learning to pronounce love in truth, a prophetical work of solidarity and subsidiarity, of friendship and sharing orienting integral human development to listen and respond to God’s movement. The actions of solidarity and subsidiarity are rooted in the beatitude of righteousness revealing the little goodness, a work of possibility and responsibility. Such actions serve to transform the time of ministry into spaces of blessing and mystery, of appreciating the sacredness and unknowability of the other with boldness, curiosity and gentleness. The article concludes by showing how both ministries of pastoral supervision and spiritual direction share the spiritual-pastoral appeal to form communities witnessing the little goodness of love in truth. Full article

This article contains some proposals for the development of pastoral care and spiritual formation of men, which might be a response of the Church in Poland to widespread secularisation. I justify this need and some theoretical aspects of men’s spiritual formation. I show the practical aspects and the initiatives that I believe are worth promoting and developing: the coordination of spiritual formation activities among men in Poland, the support of academia and science, and the spiritual formation of candidates for priesthood. Finally, I propose to internationalise men’s spiritual formation. The arguments presented here indicate that proper coordination, promotion, and involvement in the spiritual formation of men could bear good fruit in families and the entire Church in Poland. Full article

Ethiopia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with the increasing geographic extent, intensity, and frequency of drought. This study aimed to examine how pastoralist communities understand climate change and its impacts. We conducted a qualitative study among pastoral communities in Ethiopia using focus group discussions with community representatives and key informant interviews with human and animal health and agriculture experts. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants viewed deforestation and population growth as the main causes of climate change. They found that climate change caused high temperatures, a shortage of rainfall, and drought. These changes affected the environment, food security, and animal health, impacting their livelihoods, health, and social systems. Coping strategies included engaging in new economic activities, environmental recovery attempts, migration, and seeking food aid for survival. They suggested providing food aid, improving access to human and animal health care, and implementing early warning systems at the community level. The pastoralists perceived that climate change destroyed the natural environment, increased food insecurity, and negatively affected social systems and health. Collaborative actions are needed to mitigate these effects, initiate local environmental adaptation mechanisms, enhance water and food security, and improve animal and human health services. Full article

This study explores the integration of traditional African marriage customs with Catholic Canon Law in Nigeria, where cultural norms are deeply rooted. The research examines the historical, theological, and cultural dimensions that influence marriage within African Catholic contexts. Despite valuable insights from these scholars, significant challenges persist in reconciling traditional practices with Catholic sacramental rites. The article highlights critical areas needing further investigation, particularly the incorporation of culturally significant elements into Catholic marriage ceremonies and the provision of culturally sensitive pastoral care for married couples. To address these challenges, the study proposes several strategies: Cultural Hermeneutics, which promotes dialog between traditional African values and Catholic teachings; Inculturation of Liturgical Practices, which adapts Catholic wedding ceremonies to include African traditions; and Inclusive Pastoral Care, which offers compassionate and culturally informed support for couples. The research emphasizes the compatibility of African and Christian marital values, highlighting both personal and communal dimensions. It advocates for a shift from priest-centered marriage rites to elder-centered ones, increased involvement of extended families and Basic Christian Communities (BCCs), and a revision of church legislation to accommodate local customs while upholding core Gospel principles. By implementing these approaches, the Nigerian Catholic Church can create a marriage framework that honors cultural heritage while remaining true to Christian doctrine. Full article