Soft Shepherd or Almighty Pastor : Power and Pastoral Care

Essays examining issues of power dynamics in pastoral relationships, including the dangers of abuse, suggesting that new approaches are required. In 'Soft Shepherd or Almighty Pastor?' contributors seek to go beyond the taboo on power within pastoral contexts. They not only discuss fundamental theological and philosophical questions about power but also develop ways to prevent power abuse in pastoral context. Power is considered as omnipresent and is analyzed in its positive and negative aspects. Not only the classical associations of power over or domination are discussed in relation to ecclesial and pastoral situations, but also forms of power linked to all of which reflect on the complexity of power issues.