Pastoral learning at Bellevue Hospital

Christian Century, August 30, 2000 by Chloe Breyer

Now the difference between a pastoral approach and other approaches to moral issues grew clearer. Mary had not been discussing an important "issue" in the abstract, she'd had a poignant conversation with Tashi. In a pastoral setting, Mary's own views or the church's views on the morality of abortion in principle were far less important for the young woman's life than uncovering Tashi's own feelings of remorse. Tashi was the one who would ultimately have to be reconciled to herself in order to move ahead. She alone would know how God's forgiveness would allow her to embrace her own life again. And Mary, the good chaplain, had shown Tashi that this question was worth pursuing.

Chloe Breyer is a student at General Theological Seminary in New York. This article is adapted from her book about her first year of seminary, The Close, coming in September from Basic Books. Copyright [C] 2000 Chloe Breyer. Reprinted by arrangement with the author and publisher.