The first national conference of charity priests serving in psychiatric hospitals is taking place this week at the Voila Psychiatric Hospital in Câmpina. Participants highlighted the importance of cooperation between medical professionals and Church ministers in the healing of patients “in body, mind and soul.”
The event opened Tuesday with the Divine Liturgy in the hospital’s chapel. Participating priests concelebrated, thus inaugurating the conference in a liturgical setting marked by communion.
Subsequently, clergy serving in psychiatric hospitals gathered for their first working session, devoted to presentations and dialogue on the priest’s role in the pastoral care of persons suffering from mental illness.
Cooperation Between Medicine and Spiritual Care
In her welcome address, hospital manager Dr Irina Minescu underlined the importance of an integral approach to the human person in the therapeutic act.
“We cannot treat or approach the human being except as a whole — body, mind and soul. Therefore, we cannot proceed without caring for the soul, and any endeavour seems to me impossible without this perspective,” she said.
The physician also emphasised the concrete support that Church ministers offer patients in the healing process: “Your presence among us assists us in this work of healing, recovery and rehabilitation.”
She noted that the role of priests complements medical treatment by offering patients spiritual support and hope.
“Treatment does not mean only medication and protocol; it means listening, patience, understanding and, above all, hope — and you bring precisely this dimension of hope.”
The Importance of National Collaboration
Fr Florin-Ciprian Petre, Patriarchal Secretary at the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate and chaplain of the chapel at Obregia Psychiatric Hospital in Bucharest, spoke about the need for cooperation between clergy and medical staff.
“I believe it is important for us to join hands, to succeed in helping patients — and by helping them, we help ourselves as well,” he said.
He also stressed the significance of the spiritual word in supporting those who suffer: “You know very well how much the priest’s word sometimes matters in encouraging a patient to continue his treatment.”
“It is very important for us, priests serving in psychiatry, to try to build a network of solidarity at the level of the entire Patriarchate,” he added, referring to strengthening cooperation among clergy serving in psychiatric hospitals nationwide.
Fr Ciprian Ioniță, Patriarchal Adviser and Coordinator of the Social-Philanthropic Sector of the Patriarchal Administration, highlighted the initiative’s pioneering nature at the national level: “I hope that this first meeting will serve as an impetus for your colleagues throughout the country.”
The Church’s Role in Therapy
The conference will continue with a presentation by Fr Florin-Ciprian Petre entitled “Depression Between Psychological Suffering and Spiritual Search: The Priest’s Role in the Therapeutic Chain.” The programme also includes thematic discussions on the role of the Church minister within the therapeutic team.
Among the initiatives under consideration are publishing a prayer book for mental illnesses, organising regular training sessions, and developing a support network among priests serving in such medical institutions.
The closing session will take place on Wednesday, when the conference’s principal conclusions will be consolidated.
Photo: Radio Trinitas / Doru-Georgian Mihalache
