Mellon Brad F
Chaplain Services, Frederick Mennonite Community, P.O. Box 498, Frederick, PA 19435-0498, USA.
Christ Bioeth. 2003 Apr;9(1):57-67. doi: 10.1076/chbi.9.1.57.17378.
Chaplains who serve in a clinical context often minister to patients representing a wide variety of faiths. In order to offer the best pastoral care possible, the chaplain should first possess a set of personal theological convictions as a foundation for ministry. Second, he or she needs to be sensitive to the beliefs and practices of the patients. Third, it is vital to develop a relationship of acceptance and trust not only with patients under their care, but also with family members and caregivers as well. At times, situations will arise that are purely religious or theological. In a clinical setting, however, the questions and problems that arise more often are both theological and ethical. It is beneficial for the chaplain to be involved in an ethics committee, where the specifics of each case can be discussed, and staff can offer counsel to patients and their families. This study examines issues that chaplains face at the bedside, such as terminal care, life-prolonging treatments, dementia, persistent vegetative state, and euthanasia-assisted suicide. We will discover that those who are involved in clinical pastoral ministry will be called upon to be a comforter, mediator, educator, ethicist, and counselor.
在临床环境中服务的牧师常常为代表各种不同信仰的患者提供牧灵服务。为了尽可能提供最佳的牧灵关怀，牧师首先应拥有一套个人神学信念，作为牧灵服务的基础。其次，他或她需要对患者的信仰和习俗保持敏感。第三，至关重要的是不仅要与他们所照顾的患者建立接纳和信任的关系，还要与家庭成员和护理人员建立这种关系。有时，会出现纯粹宗教或神学性质的情况。然而，在临床环境中，更常出现的问题既是神学的也是伦理的。牧师参与伦理委员会是有益的，在那里可以讨论每个案例的具体情况，工作人员可以为患者及其家属提供咨询。本研究探讨了牧师在床边面临的问题，如临终关怀、延长生命的治疗、痴呆症、持续性植物状态和安乐死辅助自杀。我们会发现，那些从事临床牧灵事工的人将被要求成为安慰者、调解人、教育者、伦理学家和顾问。
