Pregledni rad
The importance of providing spiritual support to the dying
Ivan Bodrožić
orcid.org/0000-0001-9399-9420
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu, Split
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* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Spiritual support is important not only for the dying, but also in the life of each individual, especially those who are in difficult and complex life circumstances. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has published the letter Samaritanus bonus, which provides the Church’s guidelines for dealing with people who are in a critical and terminal period of life. This letter is written primarily for healthcare workers, but also for all those who are faced with a problem that is not only medical itself, but also human in general. Unfortunately, we live in a world where euthanasia is presented as support and help for the dying, while those who do not see the point of suffering assist the dying by ‘helping’ them to die ‘with dignity’. This is a distorted way of observing dying, which is why it is necessary to promote a Christian perspective and a Christian way of dying that protects society from all destructive ways of dying and assisting the sick and dying.
In a broader sense, spiritual support for the dying should be provided by all those who come into contact with them, enabling them to understand and accept their own lives in a broader context than just looking at pain and suffering, which can narrow our horizons of observing and experiencing life in all its richness. Therefore, caring for the sick is not only a duty, but also a way of life and relationships with others. It is not only strictly pastoral (technical-professional) but is much broader because it concerns all those who care for the spiritual well-being of a sick person. Spiritual support in a narrower sense is that provided by pastoral workers who offer the dying specific gracious help that God himself left to people through his revelation, and especially incarnation. However, pastoral worker does not have to be only a priest, but also a lay believer, and even a healthcare worker himself. For whoever brings Christ to others, activates the divine power of faith in everyone, and this help not only the patient but also everyone who is involved in caring for the patient. Those who are motivated by faith and whose goal is to direct the patient towards God will act in a way that does not overlook what is essential. For what good would all the care for the patient be if it did not lead the patient towards eternal healing, that is, salvation.
Ključne riječi
patient, spiritual support, end of life, dying, healthcare worker
Hrčak ID:
330288
URI
Datum izdavanja:
22.4.2025.
Posjeta: 260 *