The role of confessor in understanding and healing of suffering

FORMAT | Presented paper

LANGUAGE | English

HOW TO CITE| Necula, M. R., Damian, S. I., SANDU, Antonio, & Corîu, D. (2012). The role of confessor in understanding and healing of suffering. Prezentat la 5th International Conference of Orthodox Psychoterapists Psychoterapy & Pastorale: Revelations of the Existence, 27-30 Septembrie 2012, Grecia.

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ABSTRACT:

Orthodox theology develops a profound analysis of suffering based on the teachings of the Holy Fathers. Its roots are the volitional act of the first Adam’s fall. Suffering opens soteriologically towards healing through the second Adam, Jesus Christ. He, as God, assumes suffering as a redemptive value for the entire human race. The entire soteriological process is actually the healing of humanity from suffering. For kenosis and its influence on our existence, Our Saviour elaborated “the laboratory of salvation”, the Church. His priests, followers of His therapeutic work, help in understanding suffering and provide ways to cure it. Our paper is based on a research conducted in the Postdoctoral Studies Program in Ethics and Health Policy in Iasi, Romania, from July to December 2011.
The purpose is to analyze the involvement of Orthodox priests in the care of chronic patients, with particular reference to diabetes. As a particular objective we proposed to evaluate the impact of this implication and the degree Church and its priests asses curative support for diabetic patients in the Romanian context. As method we used the qualitative analysis of data from focus groups and individual interviews, conducted on Orthodox priests, diabetes physicians, family doctors, patients with diabetes and their family members and representatives of various religious cults from Romania. The interpretation of data aims to describe the spirituality of diabetic patients in various stages of life. As results we mention: the interviewed priests show compassion for the suffering and at the same time respect for the diabetics’ particular condition. During the healing process, the confessor’s spiritual help consists in prayers, celebrations of holy services (Holy Unction, Holy Liturgy), spiritual help in preparation for fasting and receiving the holy mysteries, maintaining morale by reporting to the person and sufferings of our Savior. The priest himself is considered a tool for a healing possible through the grace of God.

KEYWORDS:

suffering, chronic illness, confessor, healing, therapy, diabetes.