One fosters the ability to establish a clear boundary that links and limits a relationship with God. A second allows people to both confess and be accountable to their faith. A third enables recipients of care to enhance their creativity in the way they live out their faith and their lives. A fourth takes into account the role of community. A final vital sign involves helping others to achieve a mature spirituality.
Life has inevitable costs associated with it.
God has promised to be with people throughout it all, but there are limits to what people and health care professionals can control, he said. The dual challenge is to help individuals in care gain control of what's possible and understand in religious terms what the limits of control are. More than 100 health care professionals attended the event March 24. Second, Rardin said that helping people understand their accountability to God and knowing how to express contrition is key. The approach requires humility on the part of people but also coming to terms with mistakes taught by traditions, or misperceptions of theology.