This study aims to examine the direction of the care ministry of modern pastors, focusing on the concept of ‘The Wounded Healer’ by Henri Nouwen, a Jesuit priest known as a spiritualist and pastoral theologian. Despite advancements in medicine and...
This study aims to examine the direction of the care ministry of modern pastors, focusing on the concept of ‘The Wounded Healer’ by Henri Nouwen, a Jesuit priest known as a spiritualist and pastoral theologian. Despite advancements in medicine and science, modern society is suffering from widespread mental, psychological, and spiritual illnesses and inner wounds, to the extent that loneliness has been declared a global public health concern. The pastoral care of priests is urgently needed for the wholistic healing of these individuals, which cannot be resolved by mere pathological prescriptions.
Based on this problem awareness, this thesis proceeds as follows. First, Chapter 2 establishes thetheological foundation of pastoral care by examining the vocation of care, the care of God and Jesus Christ through the Old and New Testaments, and defining care within the priestly ministry through Church documents. Chapter 3 provides an in-depth analysis of the life of Henri Nouwen, a pastoral theologian and spiritual writer, and hisconcept of The Wounded Healer. Nouwen diagnoses modern people as ‘individuals in a disconnected world’ suffering from loneliness and identity confusion, and insists that pastors themselves must acknowledge their own wounds and weaknesses, becoming beings who empathize with suffering. Chapter 4 applies Henri Nouwen's spirituality to propose concrete directions for pastoral care aimed at the wholistic healing of those in need of care. Before caring for others, pastors must look inward and establish their self-identity as wounded individuals through spiritual disciplines such assilence, solitude, and prayer. Based on this, it is suggested that pastoral care should be realized through concrete practices such asclear articulation of inner events, ministry based on empathy, ministry that suffers with compassion, and the formation of community solidarity.
In conclusion, the wholistic suffering and spiritual deficiency of modern people can find a fundamental resolution through thepastoral care of priests who embody the spirituality of ‘The Wounded Healer’. The pastor is not a flawless authority figure but a spiritual companion who deeply empathizes with the suffering of others through their own wounds and moves toward healing together. By doing so, they should illuminate the path of hope toward the wholistic recovery of humanity, created in the image of God, and eternal life.