Vězeňská duchovní služba v perspektivě pastorální teologie

Abstract

The study responds to the lack of theological reflection on prison spiritual ministry in Czechia. Although the Czech Republic has a well­-developed ecumenical prison ministry of chaplains, its operations are primarily of interest in the sociology of religion and penitentiary sociology. The reflection in pastoral or practical theology is significantly weaker. Thus, this study aims to describe the essential elements for the first theological conceptualisation of the prison spiritual ministry in the Czech Republic. It is based on the analysis of the current discourse in the sociology of religion, penitentiary sociology, pastoral theology, and partially other helping professions. Such an analysis serves as the basis for pastoral­-theological evaluation and hermeneutics. The study attempts to draw the core lines for the possible pastoral conceptualisation of the Czech prison spiritual ministry of chaplains with a background in Christian churches.