“Changing our views”
Cloud Gate - Chicago Millenium Park
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’
you find yourselves cared for.” Matthew 5:7 (MSG)
“Because being moral is crucial to maintaining important relationships and being part of a community, recovery from moral injury is not an individual achievement. It is a relational process that restores our sense of worthiness to be loved, sustains our families and communities, and nurtures creativity, curiosity, and a love of beauty and life.”
Rita Nakashima Brock, from “An epidemic of moral injury”
When I first began medical practice, medical authority was unquestioned and it seemed like “authority” was good. Unknown to me was that the “authority” I inherited was partially the result of white male privilege. As my professional path continued more authority rested on the merits of the scientific method and the rewards its technology brought to patients. In the 60’s we began to hear the phrase “Question Authority” and in the information age we all have tools to challenge that authority.
But now we have moved from “question” to “rejection” with threats and real violence. We have our conversations limited and witness reports questioned. We have all felt a deep loss that is described as moral injury. The real problem is not the diagnosis of moral injury, but the prescription. Can we build new understandings and relationships that will promote well being? Who will be the partners in the health care responses?
One encouraging recent example comes from the state of Colorado. The Colorado report emphasizes the importance of partnership, dialogue and listening as the modus operandi of faith communities with the healthcare institutions. Trusted relationships are repurposed to address pandemic challenges.
Professional privileges have always been contingent on the relationships to those we serve. For faith-based providers (healing agents), practice begins in the community of faith. It is the foundation for healing authority.
Marvin
References
Brock, Rita Nakashima An epidemic of moral injury. The Christian Century.
September 1, 2021
Williams JTB; Miller A; Nussbaum AM Combating Contagion and Injustice: The Shared Work for Public Health and Faith Communities During COVID-19.
Journal of Religion & Health. 60(3):1436-1445, 2021 Jun.
Hage, M. L. (2011). Gift Reflections
http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2011/10/gift-reflections.html
Hage, M. L. (2019). Healing Cultures.
http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2019/06/healing-cultures.html
Hage, M. L. (2021). Listening Again.
https://healingagents.blogspot.com/2021/04/listening-again.html
