Study Day “Pastoral Care in Healthcare” Held at the Catholic University of Croatia

On Friday, 17 October 2025, on the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist — the heavenly patron of physicians and members of the Croatian Catholic Medical Society (HKLD) — a study day titled “Pastoral Care in Healthcare” was held in the Great Hall of the Catholic University of Croatia. The event was organized by the Croatian Bishops’ Conference (HBK), the Croatian Catholic Medical Society (HKLD), and the Catholic University of Croatia (CUC).

In his opening address on behalf of the Rector, Prof. Ante Crnčević, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Quality, Identity and Mission, emphasized that CUC strives to promote the values of Christian anthropology across all study programmes and to advocate for a holistic approach to the human person by fostering care for both physical and spiritual well-being.

“For that reason, it was most fitting to hold this event at CUC, which in its academic programmes gives special attention to the biomedical and health sciences. The wholeness of care for the sick reveals the almost forgotten verb to make whole — to heal — and there can be no true health if the spiritual dimension of the human person is neglected. Salvation itself is God’s kiss of wholeness to humanity, and all those who provide pastoral care in healthcare are servants of that divine kiss — not only to those suffering from illness but also to all who participate in healthcare,” Prof. Crnčević said.

The president of the Croatian Catholic Medical Society, Assoc. Prof. Rok Čivljak, Ph.D., M.D., expressed his joy and satisfaction at co-organizing the event, noting:

“I believe that everyone here feels the need to discuss the topic of pastoral care in healthcare — to reflect on what has been achieved so far and to discern what more can be done to integrate pastoral care into the healthcare system as an integral part of the service we offer to patients. This care, however, must extend not only to patients but also to their families and to healthcare professionals themselves.”

Before the official opening, Archbishop Dražen Kutleša highlighted the importance of the chosen theme, “Pastoral Care in Healthcare,” recognizing it as an expression of sensitivity and concern for the holistic care of the human person — body, mind, and spirit.

“Although holistic care for the human person should be the aim of all humanistic professions, we must recall that pastoral care belongs primarily to the priestly vocation. Every priest, by the nature of his ministry, is a curator animarum — a shepherd of souls. No priest, regardless of his role, can be merely an administrator, preacher, or teacher of the faith; he is above all a pastor. Pastoral ministry includes not only spiritual but also temporal care for believers. Yet if a priest neglects the salvation of souls, he fails his calling — and no one can make up for what he has omitted,” the Archbishop stated.

Drawing a connection between the roles of priests and healthcare workers, Archbishop Kutleša observed that “our age has lost the sense of caring for the soul,” a trend reinforced by contemporary culture:

“In healthcare, the burden of care for the body lies on doctors and nurses, while patients seek primarily physical healing. Yet pastoral care in healthcare encompasses much more — it involves an entire network of relationships. Modern society increasingly avoids confronting death, and sadly, this fear has found its way into the hearts of many young priests, who, confused by suffering, often avoid the rooms of the gravely ill.”

He concluded with words of encouragement:

“Dear priests and healthcare workers, do not be afraid! Your daily encounter with suffering, fragility, and the limits of life makes your mission one of the most profound witnesses of hope. I urge you, priests especially, to return with renewed zeal to your fundamental ministry — pastoral care. Let us be shepherds who do not retreat from the demands of our vocation, but who, with Christ, enter the darkness to bring the light of eternity. Every soul lost through our negligence will be our loss before God.”

The first lecture of the study day was delivered by Asst. Prof. Odilon-Gbènoukpo Singbo, Ph.D., on the topic “Spirituality and Faith as Guiding Principles of Pastoral Care in Healthcare.” This was followed by presentations from Assoc. Prof. Rok Čivljak, Ph.D., “Pastoral Care in Healthcare from the Perspective of a Healthcare Professional,” and Rev. Ivica Zlodi, Lic. Theol., “Pastoral Care in Healthcare from the Perspective of a Hospital Chaplain.”

The second block began with Prof. Suzana Vuletić, Ph.D., who presented “The Current State of Pastoral Care in Healthcare in the Republic of Croatia: The Need for Systematic Integration,” and continued with Prof. Marta Čivljak, Ph.D., who delivered a lecture titled “The Formation of Pastoral Carers in Healthcare – A Proposal for an Interdisciplinary Programme at the Catholic University of Croatia.”

In the third block, Prof. Harold G. Koenig, Ph.D., gave an invited lecture titled “The Importance and Benefits of Integrating Spirituality and Faith into the Healthcare System – The Role of the Spiritual Care Team.”

The final part of the study day featured four thematic panels that brought together pastoral and healthcare professionals, patients and their families, representatives of associations and foundations, members of the academic community, and representatives of relevant ministries. Through discussion and reflection, they explored the challenges and opportunities of providing spiritual care within the healthcare system.