Pastoral Relationship with People with Intellectual ... - Theses

145required. 398This allows for injustices created by dint of socio-politicallyconstituted disadvantage and vulnerability to be redressed.This sense of balanced pastoral posture works in concert with a moderatedsense of detachment which Campbell describes in terms of ‘critical distance.’Here, an appropriate professional and personal relational distance between carerand cared is maintained in order for appropriate care to be offered; “too great adistance prevents the helper from responding to the other’s need: too littledistance disables the helper from seeing the problem objectively and offeringsupport from outside the situation.” 399It is from this moderated sense of detachment that a professional pastoralcarer can function with integrity and advocate to the institution for the needs ofthose for whom they care. From the stance of moderated detachment a measureof more personal agape-oriented love recognises the personal need and humanworth of the other, whilst respecting the boundaries of the professionalrelationship.4.1.6 Towards a Meaningful and Effective Understanding of PastoralCareIn the aforementioned pastoral care sections pastoral care history, postmodernistconceptualisations of pastoral care, and details of broad principleswhich form the basis of institutional pastoral care have been outlined. There hasalso been the outlining of a pastoral care organisational stance that takes accountof the professional pastoral carer/individual relationship. This description servesto outline the broad parameters in which pastoral care in its theoretical design andimplementation in the institutional context may be meaningfully and effectivelyinterpreted.However, in order for a liberating pastoral care model to specificallyaddress the lives and circumstances of those who are the focus of this reflectionthe institutional narrative of these people needs to be articulated and given carefulreflection. It is in the light of this first-hand account of institutional life, throughthe voices and experiences of those who live in such an environment, that anunderstanding of authentic pastoral care will come into sharpest relief. As Newellstates, “... if we listen to the voices of people with disabilities, our theological398 ibid., 79-80.399 ibid., 81.