“The church is committed to the promotion, care, defense, and celebration of life in an effort to act out the saving mission of Christ in today´s society.”  CELAM. Vol. XXVII / n. 105 (2001)

Because of this, pastoral care brings God´s love and compassion to those who are suffering and thus acts as a model of Christ in the community.

Dimensions of Pastoral care

With the help of the Catholic church, the pastoral care ministry of Latin America has developed three focal areas.

a) Solidarity with the sick.- This is the demonstration of compassion and support to the suffering patient as a reflection of God´s love.

b) Community Involvement.- The means developing a close relationship with the community, utilizing educational activities, and encouraging community participation to create and promote healthy living conditions for all.

c) Institutional/Political Involvement.- This involves management of the many facets of health, including care, education, and political decisions that impact the lives and health of people. We seek to humanize the world of health and to stay involved in critical institutional decisions so that they serve the needs of everyone.

The pastoral care agents developed multiple activities in each of these three areas that respond in a dynamic and creative way to the daily demands of the people.

LINKS

• http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/hlthwork/index_sp
• http://www.iglesiacatolica.org.pe/cep_comisiones/pagina_inst/salud.htm
• http://www.diocesischosica.org/
• http://www.diocesisdelurin.org/
• http://www.clinicasanjuandedios.org/
• http://www.humanizar.es/
• http://www.pastoralsalud.com/