| Abstract: | It is a mark of arrogance to try to minister in a liturgicalor ritual way to individuals of other religions. A hospitalchaplain is not a generic brand, all-purpose religious figurecapable of fulfilling the religious needs of any. A chaplainshould not try to fill in for specific religious ministers,but rather, he should see himself as a human companion to thosewho need human love and care. In doing this, he can surely bemotivated, informed, and sustained by his inner, spiritual life,but should not see himself as replacing the patient's own religiouspastor. Excellent examples of how to carry out pastoral dutiesin pluralist communities come from two contemporary Christians:Mother Theresa and Father Porphyrios. Both of whom remainednon-judgmental toward those for whom they cared, while maintaininga strict view of the historical teachings of Christianity andobedience to them. |
