Pastoral Relationship with People with Intellectual ... - Theses

21physical disability, with this number in gradual decline as many of those livingthere are in a state of transitioning to community accommodation.The denominational role involves pastoral care to adherents and membersof the Uniting Church, 5 as well as a monthly Sunday ecumenical service of HolyCommunion conducted at the chapel located on the institution’s grounds.It was during my first few years at these institutions that I began todevelop an understanding of the nature and working life of a secular institutiondesigned to cater for the needs of people living with disabilities. I also regularlyreflected on how best to engage in pastoral relationship with the accommodatedpeople given the unique, atypical environment in which they lived.The pressing issue that emerged from this reflection concerned howsomeone committed to pastoral care in this environment, either professional orvolunteer, could engage in pastoral relationships that would be complementaryand alternative to the dominant medical discourse. How could such a relationshipbe defined in pastorally liberating terms? 6 Whilst a concept such as ‘liberating’lacked clarity and specificity in my initial thinking, it did become patentlyevident that some new and carefully considered mode of care, liberating innature, specific to the socio-political context in question, needed to be developed.It needed to address the perceived capacity of these institutions to oppress thosefor whom they bore responsibility. 7It became apparent that, as long as people with disability lived in thesefacilities, pastoral carers ought to implement a model of care that moreadequately addressed the professional and socio-political restraints imposed onthese people.I was most ably assisted to reflect on this pressing issue through thesupport and wisdom of giving mentors. Through counsel, it became apparent thatthe considered thinking and reflection appropriate to doctoral level study was amost appropriate vehicle for addressing my pastoral concern.5 In reality, pastoral care to the adherents and members of one denomination has provendifficult, if not somewhat pointless, given that for many residents of this institution, issues ofdenominational allegiance appear to wane in significance once a part of this livingenvironment.6 Issues concerning the definition and understanding of medical discourse will be detailed inensuing chapters.7 The terms oppression and liberation will be defined in this chapter under 1.6.4 LiberationTheology: Liberation/Oppression.