Original scientific paper
Priest and patient Principles for Christian communication between priest and patient
Ante Mateljan
orcid.org/0000-0001-6481-364X
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split
Abstract
Starting from the Agreement between the Government of
the Republic of Croatia and Croatian Bishops Conference which
regulates the presence and activities of the Catholic clergyman
in hospitals and other medical institutions, the author
puts forward the principles that form the basis for the in the
Christian manner correct, pastorally adequate and spiritually
useful communication between the priest and patient, in which
spiritual care and celebration of sacraments are emphasized.
Spiritual care for the patient also includes the priest’s communication
with the hospital staff and the patient’s family. Aware
of the drawbacks in the actual practice, the author thinks that
there is room for the establishment of truly Christian communication
between the priest and the patient during the hospital
treatment. That communication has three characteristics:
conversation/word; celebration of sacraments; prayer. In the
conclusion Christian hope in life is stressed, as a way of giving
meaning to illness and death.
Keywords
hospital pastoral; spiritual care for the patient; sacraments of healing
Hrčak ID:
91442
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2008.
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