pastor rick warren chronic pain condition

PASTOR RICK WARREN CHRONIC PAIN CONDITION PDF
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This should not be so in our civic communities and cannot be so in our Catholic communities.

Consider this stark contrast: a person with a medical illness, such as cancer, will usually receive an outpouring of sympathy and support from their parish and community a person diagnosed with a mental illness – such as depression, crippling anxiety, or bipolar disorder – frequently experiences isolation and inadequate support, often because of the unjust social stigma of mental illness. Persons with mental illness often suffer in silence, hidden and unrecognized by others. “Whoever suffers mental illness always bears God’s image and likeness, and has an inalienable right to be considered a person and treated as such.” Thus, we are all called to attend to those in our midst who suffer in body or mind we pledge to work together with families and loved ones, mental health professionals, community organizations, and all individuals and institutions that engage in this important work. We believe all baptized persons have unique gifts to offer and have a place in the Church, the body of Christ. We profess that every human life is sacred, that all people are created in the image and likeness of God and, therefore, a person’s dignity and worth cannot be diminished by any condition, including mental illness. As Catholics, in imitation of our Lord, we are called to provide hope and healing to others. Jesus Christ’s public life was a ministry of hope and healing. Matthew’s Gospel recounts how Jesus healed countless afflictions of body, mind and spirit: “So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics and paralytics, and he healed them” (Mt 4:24). In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah who would bring hope to God’s people, a savior who would help them in their affliction: “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Is 41:10).

Christ calls us to attend to those who suffer from mental illness and provide hope and healing. Even those who attend to the needs of others, including the pastors of the Church, are “wounded healers”: each of us is imperfect before God and in need of Christ’s redemptive grace.ġ. Anyone may struggle with mental health problems some require clinical attention or special forms of assistance. We recognize that the experience of serious or chronic mental illness is unique and should not be trivialized yet, when we address, this issue we need to overcome an attitude of “us” and “them,” which separates us one from another. Every human being is psychologically wounded by the effects of original sin and beset by human weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

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Even those who do not have serious mental health problems can, to some extent, understand the experience of those who do: for not one of us is entirely free from periods of anxiety, emotional distress, troubling or intrusive thoughts, or strong temptations. We need not look far to encounter our brothers and sisters who struggle with mental illness.

PASTOR RICK WARREN CHRONIC PAIN CONDITION PDF

PDF – English, Spanish or Vietnamese Study Guide – English It strikes deep within the human soul, impacting and influencing a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors thereby affecting all aspects of a person’s life-work and rest, family life and relationships, prayer and one’s relationship with God. Though not as apparent and familiar as general medical problems, mental illness is equally important and is uniquely challenging and burdensome. We acknowledge and thank our collaborators-patients, families, mental health professionals, and pastoral care workers-who assisted with this statement.Īs pastors and bishops, we are deeply concerned with the heartbreaking prevalence of mental illness in our society and are taking action to address this tragic form of misery and sorrow. This letter represents a statement by Catholic pastors, in consultation with those who suffer from mental illness, their families and loved ones, health care practitioners, and other caregivers. Therefore, ministering to those who suffer from mental illness is an essential part of the pastoral care of the Church. On Caring for those who Suffer from Mental IllnessĪddressed to All Catholics and People of GoodwillĪs pastors and bishops, we understand that mental health is a critical component of wellbeing. A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of California

Pastor rick warren chronic pain condition