St. Peter's
Seminary

 

Pastoral Theology 5576A
Ethical Issues and Pastoral Ministry 

Instructor: Rev. Steve Wlusek, BA, MDiv, MA

 A. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course seeks to heighten students’ awareness concerning aspects of pastoral ministry in which ethical decision-making is necessary. It serves to facilitate students’ integration of their theological and pastoral studies, as well as their pastoral experiences. The course provides students with foundations, principles and practical resources from which they may make prudent judgments in their ongoing ministry, thereby representing Christ and the Church responsibly. The course highlights effective means through which ministers of the Gospel care properly for the needs of individual persons, parish communities, and the minister him/her self.

B. GOALS

This course will facilitate growth in the following areas of knowledge, skill and attitudes.

KNOWLEDGE:
1. To understand theological foundations (from scripture and church documents) which underpin ethically based practices for the decisions involved in pastoral ministry.
2. To gain a base of knowledge regarding ethical principles that inform decision-making and ministry practice in the day-to-day exercise of ministry. (ie. principles regarding: maintaining proper boundaries, the use and limits of confidentiality, collaboration in ministry, conflict resolution methods.)
3. To be aware of Legal requirements legislated by Church and Civil authorities regarding specific aspects of ministry (ie. confidentiality in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the duty to disclose information about sexual impropriety toward minors, copyright laws)

SKILLS::
1. To recognize when proper boundaries are being challenged or violated in circumstances of ministry.
2. To develop the skill of dealing with the projections of parishioners onto oneself as minister representing God and the Church in healthy and mature ways.
3. To perceive challenges to one’s effectiveness in counseling, such as instances as transference or counter-transference, and to be able to address these in a respectful manner.
4. To maintain proper methods of managing human resources in the workplace (ie. through proper job postings, development of job descriptions, maintenance of contracts for employees, annual personnel appraisals)
5. To establish norms within one’s ministry for the monitoring of parish volunteers (ie. through proper screening, vulnerable persons checks, ensuring team rather than individual supervision and chaperoning of minors)
6. To be able to respond properly to allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace and allegations of sexual abuse, following proper legal prescriptions and diocesan protocol.
7. To facilitate the resolution of inter-personal conflict with others, and to mediate between individuals or groups who are in conflict with one another.
8. To develop time management skills which will serve the needs of the parish community, as well as serve the minister’s personal needs for health and balance.

ATTITUDES:
1. To recognize that each person who seeks services in ministry deserves respect and esteem by virtue of being created in the image and likeness of God.
2. To thirst for justice so that no one within his/her community is treated with preference or special consideration because of economic, intellectual, or professional status.
3. To accept all persons as ends to be served in themselves, and never to use parishioners as means toward the end of the ministers’ personal gain, pleasure or advancement.
4. To recognize that, as a minister, the student has his/her own needs, and should feel comfortable about ensuring that these needs (for rest, relaxation and friendship) are cared for outside of pastoral relationships.
5. To desire the maintenance of a healthy workplace, wherein each staff member is supported, appreciated, and given ample opportunity to receive guidance and support in their work.
6. To appreciate the calling to be part of a collegiality of ministries, involving others in professional pastoral ministry (ie. priests, deacons, pastoral ministers, CYM’s) as well as the many volunteers who share their expertise, knowledge, and pastoral zeal.

 C. ASSESSMENT

1. Class participation 15%.
Students will only gain from the course as much as they contribute to it. It is important for those preparing for ecclesial ministry to develop a common vision and appreciation for ethics in ministry through dialogue. Students therefor shall be encouraged to openly share their insights and experience with one another.

2. Reading Journal 40%.
Students shall maintain a journal, noting insights gained from the assigned reading materials, together with questions or comments raised by the reading. These reading journals are to be submitted for review on February 22nd and April 5th.

3. Personal Code of Ethics 45%
As a way for students to personally integrate the themes discussed in this course, they shall develop a personal code of ethics (a paper of five to seven pages). This code is to be developed in such a way that it may be used later as a self-reflection and examination of how they have utilized the principles and practices taught in this course during their life and ministry. This paper is due Thursday, April 8th.

Seminary policy stipulates that assignments submitted late, without prior permission, shall be penalized 10% per day submitted past the due date.
 

D. REQUIRED READING:

A packet of articles and excerpts from texts has been placed on the library reserve shelf to help prepare students’ reflection on topics being discussed in class. In addition to these, the first text required to be read is the document:

CCCB. Responsibility in Ministry. A Statement of Commitment. Ottawa: Concacan, 1996.

 

  Pastoral Theology 5576b
2010
Ethical Issues and Pastoral Ministry

Outline of Class Topics

  

DATE			THEME
Jan. 4			Overview / Expectations of Course/ Reflection on Pastoral Experience
Jan. 11			A theological foundation for Ethical Ministry
Jan. 18			Honest and Confidentiality
Jan. 25			The use of Power in the Pastoral Relationship
Feb. 1			Setting Boundaries: Counseling, Relationships w. Parishioners
Feb. 8			Sexual Abuse
Feb. 22			Sexual Harassment
Mar. 1			Leisure and Entertainment
Mar. 8			Supervision of Staff (hiring, evaluation, support, discipline)
Mar. 15			Proper Stewardship of Parish Resources
Mar. 22			Empowering Volunteers for Ethical Parish Ministry
Mar. 29			Working Co-responsibly in Ministry / Dealing with Conflict
Apr. 5			Accountability and Responsibility: Pastoral Planning

E. UNIVERSITY POLICY ON PLAGIARISM:

Plagiarism: Students must write their essays and assignments in their own words. Whenever students take an idea, or a passage from another author, they must acknowledge their debt by quotation marks where appropriate and by prior referencing such as footnotes or citations. Plagiarism is a major academic offence (see Scholastic Offences in The University of Western Ontario Academic Calendar).

Plagiarism Checking: The University of Western Ontario uses software for plagiarism checking. Students may be required to submit their written work in electronic form for plagiarism checking.