ABUSE OF POWER IN PASTORAL RELATIONSHIPS

In: Health and social care chaplaincy, S. 21-25

Abstract

Pastoral Care, in a mental health setting as elsewhere, ideally offers understanding, comfort and help. But pastors are only human, and can in subtle ways, consciously or unconsciously, fall short of their own standards. This article discusses ways in which power can be abused in the context of pastoral relationships, and gives illustrations and examples from the author's own experience in mental health chaplaincy.