One of the most important ministries of the Church throughout its history has been providing spiritual care to the sick. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has always being sensitive to the needs of this ministry from the years of the Byzantine Empire up until now. Its clergy are active in providing pastoral care to the ill, both on a parish level and in specialized facilities. Together with its layman, a wide range of philanthropic programs have been established to assist in these efforts. In addition to this, there are many health care professionals that provide high quality care throughout the world who are conscious and committed Orthodox Christians.
In order for our Church to continue providing high quality pastoral care to suffering, it is necessary that all those who are involved in ministering to the sick to unite their efforts and pastoral concerns, to become more aware of the dynamics, developments and prospects of health care and to improve the spiritual care they offer. The rapid progress in medical science, the increasing concern in the spiritual dimension of illness and the need to cooperate with other faiths and health organizations on a world-wide multidisciplinary level makes this need even more essential.
With a firm conviction and commitment to his pastoral identity, His All-Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, has taken the initiative to form a “Network for Pastoral Health Care of the Ecumenical Patriarchate”. Such a network aims to give the opportunity to all who minister to the sick to benefit from sharing their knowledge and experience and to improve their training. Together with this, the network will contribute to the further development of ministries with high quality pastoral care and health care.
Ελληνική εκδοχή
