Kapłan jako duszpasterz i formator osób terminalnie chorych

Abstract

When contemplating the question of suffering and dying, the Church’s Magisterium emphasises the need to address an issue of priestly ministry to the terminally ill. This service manifests itself mainly in the broadly understood spiritual care which is a part of pastoral activities. The dynamic growth of the system of palliative care presents the Church with the need to find new ways of accompanying the people at the end of their life. The pastoral care, provided by priests as a part of palliative care, is realised in many areas of their priestly work. First of all it concerns the patients, but also the family members, the people offering medical service, the volunteers and other members of the palliative care centres.