ETHICS IN PASTORAL MINISTRY
Keywords:
Care Ethics, Emotional Maturity, Jesus the Pastor, Kerygmatic Model, Models of Pastoral Ministry, Moral Boundaries, Therapeutic ModelAbstract
The role of the pastor is to help the faithful to make communion with God. In order to attain this goal, a pastor proclaims the word of God and celebrates the sacraments, and he also needs a good relationship with people. The Catholic Church has a deep theological and practical vision for pastoral ministry. However, during the course of the pastoral ministry, the pastor faces many moral issues. Consequently, there arises problems related to relationship, confidentiality, use of finance, respecting others, organization of church institutions, and execution of power. We propose Christian care ethics in pastoral ministry where Jesus Christ is the model who touched people psychically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually at a deep level. This may help to provide the best approach in the pastoral ministry. Moreover, continual spiritual formation is necessary that directs and empowers an ethical pastoral life. Similarly, theological and psychological competence may support the pastor to form an excellent pastoral ministry.
References
“Asian Colloquium on Ministries in the Church: Conclusions,” in Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences I, 1977.
Antony Raj and Karol E. Dean, “Burnout and Depression Among Catholic Priests in India,” Pastoral Psychology 54, 2 (2005).
Cf. Carol Gilligan, In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1982.
Deron J. Biles, ed., Pastoral Ministry: The Ministry of a Shepherd, Nashville: B&H Academic, 2017.
Domènec Melé and Joan Fontrodona, “Christian Ethics and Spirituality in Leading Business Organizations: Editorial Introduction,” Journal of Business Ethics 145 (2017).
Dylan Selterman, “Moral Boundaries in Relationships,” https://www.luvze.com/moral-boundaries-in-relationships-relationship-matters-podca/
George B. Wilson, Clericalism: The Death of Priesthood, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2008.
Gregory, Oration 2.117, as quoted in Greg Jones, “On the Priesthood,” Anglican Theological Review 91, 1 (2009) 60.
https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/kerala-catholic-priest-accused-of-sexually-abusing-boys-arrested-2065605; “Priest Accused of Abuse, at Large,” The Hindu, September 22, 2019, 1.
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-priest-fr-robin-found-guilty-raping-and-impregnating-16-yr-old-girl-96819; https://theprint.in/india/governance/ these-are-the-christian-priests-accused-of-rape-across-kerala-churches/120982/;
James H. Kroeger, “Pope Francis on Living the Priesthood,” Vidyajyothi Journal of Theological Reflection 81 (2017).
Jeffrey G.L. Chang, “Priesthood for Communion Ministry for the Church in Asia,” Landas 25 (2011).
Joe Mannath, “Intimacy and Joyful Celibacy in International Seminar on Affective Maturity Celibate Life—Challenges in Formation,” February 21-22, 2018, PVP Vadavathoor, Kottayam, Kerala.
John Olu Adetoyese, “The Marks of a Successful Pastor,” The American Journal of Biblical Theology 1, 1 (2018).
Joseph A. Selling, “You Shall Love Your Neighbour: Commandments 4-10,” Michael J. Walsh, ed., Commentary on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1994, 381–388.
K. Demasure & J. Müller, “Perspectives in Support of the Narrative turn in Pastoral Care,” Ned Geref Teologiese Tydskrif 47, 3 (2006) 410-419.
Karlijn Demasure, Seminar Paper on “Three Ways of Interaction,” Faculteit Godgeleerdheid Afdeling Pastoraaltheologie, K.U. Leuven, 2003.
Manasseh H. Panpe, “Relationship: A Necessity for Pastoral Ministry,” Baptist Theological Seminary Kaduna Insight (2016).
Michael R. Heinlein, “Two New Blessed from America in Many Ways, Stanley Rother and Solanus Casey Lived Pope Francis’ Vision of Priesthood,” Our Sunday Visitor, https://www.osv.com/Magazines/ThePriest/ByIssue/Article/TabId/818/ArtMID/13723/ArticleID/23342/Two-New-Blesseds-from-America.aspx.
Paul Ricoeur, “What is a Text? Explanation and Interpretation,” in Paul Ricoeur, Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences, John B. Thompson (ed. and transl.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1981.
Paul Vitello, “Taking a Break from the Lord’s Work,” New York Times, August 1, http://www.nvtimes.eom/2010/08/02/ m^regioffi02hurnout.htmL
Richard M. Gula , Ethics in Pastoral Ministry , New York: Paulist Press, 1996.
Roger Terry, Authority and Priesthood in the LDS Church, Part 1: Definitions and Development,” Dialogue 51, 1 (Spring 20018).
S. Hiltner, Preface to Pastoral Theology, Nashvill: Abingdon, 1958.
Shaun Joynt, “Exodus of Clergy: ‘When the Fight is Just not Worth it Anymore’ – The Role of Conflict in Responding to the Call,” In die Skriflig 52 (1) 2018, a2331. https://doi. org/10.4102/ids.v52i1.2331, P.2
Svoboda, Melanie. “Consecrated Celibacy as Means, Peril, and Delight,” Review for Religious 56, 1 (1997).
Thomas Srampickal & Joji Chirayil, To Act Justly and Deal Honestly, Thrissur: Marymatha Publications, 2008.
