A critical evaluation of the involvement of pastors with mental patients : a case study of Saint John of God Mental Hospital in Mzuzu, Malawi

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study critically evaluates pastors' involvement in the treatment of people suffering from mental illness at Saint John of God Mental Hospital, a community based mental health mission run by the Roman Catholic Church, in Mzuzu, Malawi. The problem that this study investigates is the exclusion of non-Catholic pastors from the healing ministry of people with mental illness. This exclusion often leads to the relapse of mentally ill people when they (or their guardians) seek the services of pastors once they are discharged from hospital and are advised to stop medication in favor of healing through faith and prayer. This study draws inspiration from my experience as the Pastoral Care Coordinator at Saint John of God Mental Hospital, which has led me to discover that most patients, once they are discharged, turn to pastors who have no experience in the treatment of mental illness, a decision which often has tragic results. The patients are instructed to stop medication after the pastors pray for them. Such instructions led to patients' relapse and readmission to the hospital or in worse scenarios, their suicide. This study considers the possibility of including pastors of other denominations in caring for patients at Saint John of God Mental Hospital. To conduct the evaluation, the study utilizes a practical theological methodology as proposed by Richard Osmer (2008) and the chapters are structured and aligned with the four tasks of practical theology that he identifies. It also makes use of related literature in theology, health and other social sciences. As such, the first chapter focuses on the African epistemology on illness and healing. It further discusses the African Synod's endorsement of inculturation as a vital component of evangelisation. Chapter One presents a discussion of liberation (feminist) theology with the aim of giving a voice to patients suffering from mental illness. The second chapter evaluates the Curia, Provincial and the Malawian Pastoral Care policy documents in order to discuss the burden of relapse as a result of the exclusion of pastors from other denominations from the healing ministry. Chapter Three is a historical discussion of the contribution made by pastors to the healing of patients in hospital. Following on from that, Chapter Four proposes possible ways in which to include pastors from other denominations in mental health healing at St. John of God Mental Hospital. Overall, the evaluation of the policy documents indicates that the Malawian policy on pastoral care is inconsistent with the African understanding of illness and healing, the Roman Catholic Church's view on inculturation and the overarching Curia and Provincial policy documents. The study furthermore argues that the exclusion of pastors from other denominations adds to the burden carried by mentally ill patients and their guardians. For this reason, it establishes the need for a holistic and multifaceted approach that can respond to the needs of mental patients in the hospital. Ultimately, it recommends that Saint John of God Mental Hospital finds a way to responsibly involve pastors from other denominations in its healing ministry in order to achieve sustainable and holistic healing.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University