The Holy Sacraments of Penance and Anointing as Therapeutic Means in Pastoral Ministry
Keywords:
Pastoral Ministry, Sacraments, Confession, Anointing, Therapeutic Means, Pastoral Thrology, Practical TheologyAbstract
Goran Stoevsky, The Holy Sacraments of Penance and Anointing as
Therapeutic Means in Pastoral Ministry.
Today, more and more physicians, psychiatrists, and even ordinary people are
exploring the psychosomatic connections between psychological illnesses. In
this context, the regular administration of the sacraments of Confession and
Anointing—both as part of the Church’s liturgical life and, even more importantly,
outside the temple, such as by the hospital bed or wherever the
suffering person may be—can serve as therapeutic means of pastoral ministry.
These sacraments represent an expression of God’s love and spiritual care.