Abstract

This contribution develops a practical theological reflection on power in relations of ‘pastoral care’. In a first step, different critiques on ‘power’ in pastoral care are analyzed. The author argues that the influence of ‘power’ has to be taken seriously in pastoral relationships. In a second step, a reflection on care for children functions as a starting point for thinking about power, asymmetry and mutuality in pastoral relations. Thereby, the reflection about ‘asymmetry’ in the theories of Emmanuel Levinas and Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy is considered as fruitful not only in parent-child relations, but also in relations of pastoral care. Reflection on pastoral care should also include thinking in terms of ‘justice’. In a third step, the author argues that a relational anthropology is the basis for an adequate thinking on power, asymmetry and mutuality in pastoral relations. In a fourth step, the author asks how we can avoid thinking about pastoral relationships in an excessively individualistic way, and how we can avoid the individualistic tendency that the parent-child relationship inspires when reflecting on pastoral relationships? She argues that solidarity is a very important aspect in thinking about asymmetrical relationships. Nevertheless, it does not remove the burden to reflect permanently about goals and aims in relationships, about justice and about power balances.