Pastoral Theology

How effective is Groome’s Method of Shared Christian Praxis as a method of Practical Theology in a classroom situation?

by Matthew Charlesworth SJ

Unpublished. Written for BTh 1st Year T15 – Pastoral/Practical Theology I, Hekima College, 24 October 2011. (2520 words)

This essay evaluates Groome’s Method of Shared Christian Praxis as a method of Practical Theology in a classroom... more This essay evaluates Groome’s Method of Shared Christian Praxis as a method of Practical Theology in a classroom situation. I first describe the discipline and methodology of Practical Theology (PT) in general, and in particular explains the method of Thomas Groome. The author’s previous work on a joint assignment between Canisius Secondary School in Zambia and Mount St Mary’s College in England is shown as an example of applying the method. Before I begin, however, I wish to observe how Campbell notes that “notions of pastoral theology and practical theology are often confused, used differently, or used synonymously.” For the purposes of this essay I do not attempt to adjudicate between either term – however, given that Rahner adopts PT I shall align myself with his usage – but I draw the reader’s attention to how differently American and UK academics view this matter, and consequently some cited material might refer to Pastoral Theology.

Evangelisation: A truthful movement from Catechesis to Prayer through conversation.

by Matthew Charlesworth SJ

Unpublished. Written for BTh 1st Year T13c – Social Analysis I, Hekima College, 6 February 2012. (838 words)

This essay briefly reflects theologically upon the important and age-old ministry of teaching within the Church,... more This essay briefly reflects theologically upon the important and age-old ministry of teaching within the Church, specifically teaching catechism in a school situation. The positive activity I wish to reflect upon is evangelisation, which is “an invitation to freely consider and experience the truth of the Catholic faith."

Review of my apostolate at Hekima College

by Matthew Charlesworth SJ

Unpublished. Written for BTh 1st Year T13c – Social Analysis I, Hekima College, 29 April 2012. (4100 words)

This essay reflects theologically upon the important and age-old ministry of teaching within the Church, specifically... more This essay reflects theologically upon the important and age-old ministry of teaching within the Church, specifically teaching catechism to catechists. This activity is directly linked to evangelisation, which is “an invitation to freely consider and experience the truth of the Catholic faith”. What follows is thus an analysis, from the perspective of Practical Theology, of my weekly apostolate of teaching Catechists. I propose to utilise both the methods of the Pastoral Spiral, as advocated by Holland and Henriot, and aspects of the SWOT method (I would like to limit myself to just the internal environment and consider the Strengths and Weaknesses present). These will be applied to my experience of the apostolate, and the feedback gathered through a very basic qualitative and quantitative survey (see Appendix I).

Define the term transsexualism and highlight the challenges encountered by individuals with this gender. What should be the response of the church?

by Matthew Charlesworth SJ

Unpublished. Written for BTh 1st Year TE3/2: Human Sexuality, Gender, Religion and Culture in Africa, Hekima College, 7 October 2011. (4145 words)

In beginning this essay, it is worth remembering what Watts, a psychologist from Cambridge University’s Divinity... more In beginning this essay, it is worth remembering what Watts, a psychologist from Cambridge University’s Divinity Faculty, has to say about transsexualism: "Transsexualism is a minefield. There are many different perspectives, each apparently reflecting a different background ideology. Even how you frame the issues and begin to ask questions about it can already show you what perspective you are coming from. Though transsexualism is still fairly rare, at least in its full-blown form, it has become an ideological battleground." This essay investigates the origin and existence of transsexualism looking at the current scientific research and explains the position of the Catholic Church. I conclude with the suggestion of possible pastoral opportunities.

Conversión de la Iglesia al Reino de Dios. Criteriología para la praxis eclesial desde Ignacio Ellacuría

by Luis Arturo Martínez Vásquez

Si la Iglesia, por naturaleza, «[…] toma su origen en la misión del Hijo y la misión del Espíritu Santo según el plan... more Si la Iglesia, por naturaleza, «[…] toma su origen en la misión del Hijo y la misión del Espíritu Santo según el plan de Dios Padre» , resulta absolutamente necesario para ella una constante conversión personal y pastoral. Esta conversión se ve mediada por la realidad que la circunscribe y al mismo tiempo la interpela, de forma que pueda realizar el espíritu fundamental que la anima a seguir adelante: ser sal y luz, pero siempre desde la perspectiva de las bienaventuranzas. Por lo tanto, la fidelidad de la Iglesia en la instauración del Reino se hace evidente por medio de acciones, pero de acciones que partan de un profundo análisis del acto humano y se encaminen hacia la realización de éste.

"Rolul Familiei in Educatia Copiilor: O Perspectiva Ecclesiala"

by Doru Costache

Published in (Proceedings from the international congress) Family and Life at the Beginning of a New Christian Millennium (Bucharest: The Publishing House of the Biblical and Mission Institute of the Romanian Orthodox Church, 2002) 240-255.

Published in Romanian, my article explores the traditional understanding of the function of the family in children... more Published in Romanian, my article explores the traditional understanding of the function of the family in children education, as illustrated in the Scriptures and the Fathers (mainly Clement the Alexandrine and St John Chrysostom), within the framework of a changing society and culture for which family is no longer a fundamental value.

Foucault and Witches. Confessional Subjectivities and Resistance of the Flesh

by Amedeo Policante

Foucault and Witches. Confessional Subjectivities and Resistance of the Flesh

Foucault is often accused of... more Foucault and Witches. Confessional Subjectivities and Resistance of the Flesh

Foucault is often accused of focusing too much on the omnipresence of power, while giving only scant attention to the productivity of struggle and resistance against it. In an attempt to correct this view, the present article tries to cast a fresh look on pastoral power through an exploration of the role of witchcraft and possession in the thought of the French philosopher. Both witchcraft and possession are thus exposed as practices of resistance, inscribed in a system of power relations to which they were the “odd term”, a resistant extension undermining power from within. According to Foucault, the end of witchcraft and the rise of the problem of possession illuminate the emergence of a new strategic field of power relations centred not on the juridico-political paradigm, but on the production of subjectivities through positive incitement of the relationship of the self with the self. This is what I call “a confessional society”.

Keywords: Pastoral, Biopolitics, Confession, Witches, Possession, Resistance of the flesh.

Foucault e le Streghe. Soggettività confessionali e resistenza della carne, Materiali Foucaultiani volume I, number 1 (January-June 2012).

by Amedeo Policante

In materiali foucaultiani volume I, number 1 (January-June 2012). Article available in Italian, English and French.

abstract (it)
Foucault e le Streghe. Soggettività confessionali e resistenza della carne.

Foucault... more abstract (it)
Foucault e le Streghe. Soggettività confessionali e resistenza della carne.

Foucault viene spesso accusato di essersi concentrato troppo sull’onnipresenza del potere, e di aver prestato invece un’attenzione sporadica alla produttività delle lotte e delle resistenze contro di esso. Nel tentativo di correggere questa prospettiva, il presente articolo cerca di riesaminare il potere pastorale attraverso un’esplorazione del ruolo della stregoneria e della possessione nel pensiero del filosofo francese. Stregoneria e possessione sono quindi presentate come pratiche di resistenza, inscritte in un sistema di relazioni di potere del quale erano il “termine estraneo”, un’estensione resistente che minava il potere dall’interno. Secondo Foucault, la fine della stregoneria e la nascita del problema della possessione illuminano l’emergenza di un nuovo campo strategico di relazioni di potere, non più centrato sul paradigma giuridico-politico, ma sulla produzione di soggettività attraverso l’incitamento positivo alla relazione di sé con se stessi. Ecco ciò che chiamo “una società confessionale”.

Parole chiave: Pastorale, Biopolitica, Confessione, Streghe, Possessione, Resistenzadella carne.
abstract (en)

Foucault and Witches. Confessional Subjectivities and Resistance of the Flesh

Foucault is often accused of focusing too much on the omnipresence of power, while giving only scant attention to the productivity of struggle and resistance against it. In an attempt to correct this view, the present article tries to cast a fresh look on pastoral power through an exploration of the role of witchcraft and possession in the thought of the French philosopher. Both witchcraft and possession are thus exposed as practices of resistance, inscribed in a system of power relations to which they were the “odd term”, a resistant extension undermining power from within. According to Foucault, the end of witchcraft and the rise of the problem of possession illuminate the emergence of a new strategic field of power relations centred not on the juridico-political paradigm, but on the production of subjectivities through positive incitement of the relationship of the self with the self. This is what I call “a confessional society”.

Keywords: Pastoral, Biopolitics, Confession, Witches, Possession, Resistance of the flesh.

résumé (fr)

Foucault et les Sorcières. Subjectivités confessionnelles et résistance de la chair.

Foucault est souvent accusé d’avoir été trop soucieux de l’omniprésence du pouvoir, et d’avoir donné au contraire une attention sporadique à la productivité des luttes et des résistances contre le pouvoir. En essayant de corriger une pareille perspective, cet article vise à réexaminer le pouvoir pastoral à travers une exploration du rôle de la sorcellerie et de la possession dans la pensée du philosophe français. Sorcellerie et possession sont ainsi présentées comme pratiques de résistance, inscrites en un système de relations de pouvoir par rapport auquel elles étaient le « terme étranger », une extension résistante qui minait le pouvoir de l’intérieur. Selon Foucault,la fin de la sorcellerie et la naissance du problème de la possession éclairent l’émergence d’un nouveau champ stratégique de relations de pouvoir, non plus centré sur le paradigme juridico-politique, mais bien plutôt sur la production de subjectivités à travers l’incitation positive à la relation de soi à soi. Voilà ce que j’appelle « une société confessionnelle ».

Mots clés : Pastorale, Biopolitique, Aveu, Sorcières, Possession, Résistance de la chair.

Review of Bruce G. EPPERLY. "Process Theology: A Guide for the Perplexed"

by Hans Gustafson

Of Christianity, Infertility and Ethics in Nigeria

by Bimbo Amole

Published in the  Encounter Journal, 2011

The deep anguish which couples seeking  children experience is readily understandable since one of the aims of... more The deep anguish which couples seeking  children experience is readily understandable since one of the aims of marriage is to have fruits of such a union in the form of children, visible replication of the love that exist between the couple. Children are special mirrors in which parents find themselves reflected. Children are like stabilizing rudders on days when the ship of a marriage passes rough waters; they could be sources of fresh wine when the Christian marriage begins to feel the aridity of monotony or similar stress. For they are gifts of the productive Father who himself gave the solemn injunction in the priestly account of creation, “…Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it" ; children are “a confirmation and completion” of the reciprocal self-giving of a couple.  What becomes therefore of those couples who cannot have theirs due to infertility? And how do they cope with the attendant challenges of this lack?
The aim of this paper is to examine the concept of infertility particularly as it affects the Nigerian Christian couple, the several solutions often proffered as way-out of infertility, and particularly, the ethical challenges connected with a number of these proffered solutions.

When God Became Poor

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW

When the Son of God was conceived in a young virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, God entered humanity in a poor unwed... more When the Son of God was conceived in a young virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, God entered humanity in a poor unwed mother who was delighted that the Lord had recognized the low status of His servant.

She declared that God has visited the poor and powerless and done the opposite of what was expected by the rich and powerful, in bringing His Messiah into the world. The theme of his life was to reach out to those in trouble and to the whole world separated from God by sin.

The hearer-reader is asked to be aware of thoughts and feelings that come up inside as God reaches out and acts in his and her experience.

Steps for Healing Adultery and Infidelity

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW

Share these steps to heal the betrayal of infidelity when both parties are still committed to staying in the marriage... more Share these steps to heal the betrayal of infidelity when both parties are still committed to staying in the marriage relationship.  The College of Mental Health Counseling provides a series of practical healing reports at collegemhc.com

Even when both parties are committed to staying in the marriage, the grief resulting from infidelity or adultery is difficult to heal, and distrust often remains.

This report outlines the process for healing the pain caused by infidelity and is adapted from “Effective Counseling Skills” by Daniel Keeran, MSW, in digital and hard copy on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Counseling-Skills-therapeutic-statements/dp/1442177993

Hope in the Midst of Suffering: One Minister’s Response to the Question of God and Evil

by Emily McGowin

Published in the Truett Journal of Church and Mission, 3.1 (2005): 36-43.

Words for Dying, Death, and Living

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW

Much of the content of this paper is from the chapter on Grief Counseling Skills in more Much of the content of this paper is from the chapter on Grief Counseling Skills in http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Counseling-Skills-therapeutic-statements/dp/1442177993

Areas of conversation between the living and the dying are listed and described in practical detail designed for sharing with family and friends.

The most common reaction to the subject of death and dying is to feel afraid and to avoid the discussion altogether, yet being able to talk openly about the end of life, is one of the most important conversations. For the living, unresolved grief is a major cause of poor mental health often resulting in chronic depression, relationship breakdown, addiction, physical illness, and sometimes suicide.

Counseling For Depression and Anxiety

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW, RMHC-S

Depression can be caused by chemical changes in the body, physical illness, and different types of loss. Very often,... more Depression can be caused by chemical changes in the body, physical illness, and different types of loss. Very often, depression and anxiety are the result of self-defeating life patterns that can be helped by incorporating caring self-talk and by supporting self-worth and assertiveness.

We tend to do to ourselves and to others that which was done to us in childhood. Now as adults we must give to ourselves all the healthy things we needed from healthy parents. This report presents some things to do to change the inner-dialogue foundations of depression and anxiety.

This paper is adapted from the text "Effective Counseling Skills" by Daniel Keeran, MSW, at http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Counseling-Skills-therapeutic-statements/dp/1442177993

Working With Anger

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW, RMHC-S

Anger is an emotion often associated with violence, conflict, marriage and family breakdown, child abuse, and... more Anger is an emotion often associated with violence, conflict, marriage and family breakdown, child abuse, and bullying. Chronic anger toward self and others may lead to self-destructive patterns, addiction, assault, and suicidal behavior. Stress from chronic anger can contribute to changes in the central nervous system, depression, and physical illness. Adapted from the book "Effective Counseling Skills" by the author, this paper provides ideas for understanding and working with anger in ways that can be transformative and healing. Practitioners in the helping professions, couples and families, and people in the work place can benefit from this brief practical summary.

Healing Childhood Sexual Abuse

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW, RMHC-S

The College of Mental Health Counseling presents a summary process for healing childhood sexual abuse that is... more The College of Mental Health Counseling presents a summary process for healing childhood sexual abuse that is sometimes an issue underlying mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, marital problems, suicidality, addiction, eating disorders, borderline and histrionic personality disorders, other mental distress.

The experience of sexual abuse in childhood is one of the most sensitive kinds of trauma addressed in counseling. Those in the helping professions need clear and practical approaches to assist survivors of sexual abuse, recognizing that the healing process may be lengthy and that a single counselor may realistically only be able to help the individual partially heal the pain and effects of the abuse.

This report is adapted from the book “Effective Counseling Skills” by the author, in digital and hard copy at http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Counseling-Skills-therapeutic-statements/dp/1442177993

Healing the experience of childhood sexual abuse involves helping the client begin to disclose the experience, addressing the painful emotions associated with the abuse, understanding the affects and unhealthy decisions and beliefs related to the abuse, and then adopting healthy decisions and beliefs and caring self-talk.

Healing the Pain of Grief

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW, RMHC-S

GRIEF COUNSELING THEORY AND SKILLS COURSE ONLINE

In this practical online course you will learn what to say to help someone who is grieving and needs healing to move forward in life. The course text and assignments are included in tuition and are sent to you immediately as a PDF attached email file with a hard copy sent by regular mail. To Register visit http://www.counseling-skills.com

This article is an excerpt from the chapter entitled “Grief Counseling Skills” in Effective Counseling Skills: the... more This article is an excerpt from the chapter entitled “Grief Counseling Skills” in Effective Counseling Skills: the practical wording of therapeutic statements and processes. More practical skills are found in the following press release http://prlog.org/11645786

Daniel Keeran, MSW, has been a professional counselor and therapist for over 30 years. He has provided counseling and training to thousands of professionals and the public through his private practice, seminars, and online training courses.

To order the best-selling training manual "Effective Counseling Skills" go to http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Counseling-Skills-therapeutic-statements/dp/1442177993

Postmodern Anomic Disorder* (PAD): Understanding Gang Behavior and the London Riots

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW

The College of Mental Health Counseling presents an understanding of youth gangs, the London riots, Islamic terrorism, aboriginal suicide and other similar phenomena as possible effects of Postmodern Anomic Disorder* identified here for the first time.

If the paper does not yet appear below, you can download it here http://www.ctihalifax.com/images/Anomic_Disorder4.pdf

If you have any questions, comments, or upload difficulty, please contact collegemhc@gmail.com

The College of Mental Health Counseling presents an understanding of youth gangs, the London riots, Islamic terrorism,... more The College of Mental Health Counseling presents an understanding of youth gangs, the London riots, Islamic terrorism, aboriginal suicide and other similar phenomena as possible effects of Postmodern Anomic Disorder* identified here for the first time.

If you have any questions or comments please contact collegemhc@gmail.com

Common Issues In Marriage Counseling

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW, RMHC-S

Practical approaches are presented to addressing problems of infidelity, time spent together, physical abuse, sexual... more Practical approaches are presented to addressing problems of infidelity, time spent together, physical abuse, sexual intimacy, sharing household duties, child care, finances, and more.

This paper is adapted from a chapter on Couple Counseling Strategies in the course text "Effective Counseling Skills" by the author published for the College of Mental Health Counseling.