Pastoral Care and Liberation Theology

A pioneering study which uses liberation theology to develop a socially and politically committed pastoral care

Stephen Pattison (Author)

9780521418225, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 March 1994

292 pages
22.2 x 14.1 x 2 cm, 0.455 kg

"Pattison has written a strong volume which illustrates the validity of one of the major types of practical theology. His work deserves to be studied by all practical theologians in hopes that the work of the rest of us will begin to approach his level of competence." James Poling, International Journal of Practical Theology

This is the first book to show how Latin American liberation theology can be applied to and can transform pastoral care in countries such as Britain and the USA. Hitherto pastoral care has tended to concentrate on looking after individuals. Stephen Pattison suggests that much of the suffering endured by individuals is actually socially and politically caused, and so is avoidable if the appropriate action is taken. The author argues that what we now require is a socio-politically aware and committed pastoral care which makes an option for oppressed and poor people and engages in practical struggle against the forces of injustice and oppression. Focussing as it does especially on mentally ill people and on women, the book will be of interest to all those who want to broaden their vision and knowledge of liberation theology or pastoral care, whether theologians, pastors, students for ministry, members of caring professions, or users of the services they provide.

General editors' Preface
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction: The challenge of liberation theology
PART 1 - LIBERATION THEOLOGY
1. The background to liberation theology
2. The nature and content of liberation theology
3. The methods of liberation theology
4. Putting liberation theology to work
PART 2 - THE SOCO-POLITICAL CONTEXT OF PASTORAL CARE
5. The socio-political context of mental disorder
6. Who becomes mentally ill?
7. The historical and social context of the psychiatric hospital
8. The socio-political order of the psychiatric hospital: the staff
9. The socio-political order of the psychiatric hospital: the patients
10. The 'brave new world' of community care
11. The plight of mentally ill people
PART 3 - THE POLITICS OF PASTORAL CARE
12. Pastoral care with mentally ill people
13. Socio-political awareness and commitment
14. Unction in the function: pastoral care in socio-political perspective
15. Liberating pastoral care
16. What is to be done? Towards a socio-politically aware and committed pastoral care
17. Bringing it all back home? Pastoral care with women
conclusion
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM]