An Ethical Framework for Pastoral Care

Defines the ethics of pastoral care as the project which relates suffering and power. Examines a biblical story (2 Samual 13) which demonstrates the relation of suffering and power. Claims that the most sinister aspects of social injustice is the devaluation of certain persons and their suffering and the denial of moral and religious obligations toward such persons. Urges pastoral care practitioners to be self-critical regarding the use of power in relation to suffering else they become the pawns of an unjust society and its mistreatment of persons.