PASTORAL THEOLOGY AS PUBLIC THEOLOGY IN RELATION TO THE CLINIC

Abstract

Pastoral theology traditionally takes its rise in concrete human predicaments calling for some intentional form of care by individuals designated by communities of faith to act on their behalf. Three pastoral vignettes, arising in the practice of care, will inform this essay with four critical questions and insights about the nature of care in a public context. Sharon is a woman in her mid thirties with whom I have worked for many years, (and who has given me permission to share her story pseudonymously). When she began work with me, Sharon was severely depressed. Throughout the course of our time together she has on occasion seriously contemplated taking her life, but has never attempted to do so. She is an only child who lives a very isolated life in the home of her elderly parents. In the course of counseling, after considerable effort, it became apparent that her depression very likely resulted from the ongoing effects of childhood sexual molestation by a close family member. She also discovered through counseling that she is an extremely talented artist, but so far she has not been able to support herself financially through the sale of her work. Nonetheless, her artistic productions have been the pathway to her deeper insight about her abuse and have served as a medium for healing and public protest against the pervasive sexual and domestic violence in our culture. She has produced literature, paintings and sculpture that thematize the reality of abuse as well as contribute to prevention and healing (Graham, 1989, pp. 49-60). A year or so ago she was extremely depressed because a major carrier had turned her down for health insurance. Sharon was convinced that it was because she disclosed that she had sought help from a pastoral counselor for depression. She did not want to reapply to