Pastoral Relatedness

Pastoral Relatedness is that special quality of the pastoral relationship that helps a person access his or her deeper spiritual self and experience God's care. In Pastoral Relatedness John Quinlan shows that pastoral relatedness is the essence of pastoral care. Quinlan outlines research into the aspects of pastoral care that contribute most to holistic care, and most importantly, to the "why?" and "how?" these particular aspects of pastoral care contribute. The person and the skills of the pastor, which enable pastoral relatedness, help a patient to freely share his or her private concerns and have them heard. This helps the individual to cope with his or her situation, and facilitates supportive ministry. Pastoral care makes a significant and measurable contribution to holistic healthcare and healing, contributing to patients' "getting better faster," to their "readiness to go home," and to "making hospitalization easier."