Palliative Care

A Theological Foundation, The Spiritual Dimension of Palliative Care in the Local Christian community

Authors

  • George Beuken St. Andrew’s Hospice

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.v6i1.44

Keywords:

Holistic, palliative care, pastoral care, spirituality, bereavement care, befriending

Abstract

In the last of his four part exploration of a theological foundation for palliative care, the author, writing from a Roman Catholic perspective, considers the place of the local Christian community in the holistic care of the sick. The Christian community plays a vital role in such care, and needs to be equipped to fulfil this calling by the establishment of pastoral care teams. The ‘body of Christ’ cares for its members, and such care extends beyond the care of the terminally ill to encompass the care of the bereaved. Through such attention to emotional and spiritual need, the Christian community bears witness to the continuing compassion of Christ.

Author Biography

  • George Beuken, St. Andrew’s Hospice

    George Beuken is Pastoral & Spiritual Director at St. Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie.

References

Ashley B M, O’Rouke K D 1997 Health Care Ethics, A Theological Analysis, Washington, University Press, USA.

Patients Charter 1991 The Scottish Executive, Edinburgh.

Downloads

Published

2013-05-21

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2003): Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy Vol 6 (1) 2003

Section

Articles

License

© Equinox Publishing Ltd.

For information regarding our Open Access policy, click here.

How to Cite

Beuken, G. (2013). Palliative Care: A Theological Foundation, The Spiritual Dimension of Palliative Care in the Local Christian community. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 6(1), 44-46. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.v6i1.44