Academic staff from various academic units namely, Assoc. Prof. Mary Anne D. Chiong (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery), Mr. Hermenegildo C. Ceniza (Faculty of Arts and Letters), Mr. Hansson G. Labisig, Mr. Benjohn B. Espares, and Assoc. Prof. Allan A. Basas (Institute of Religion) published an article titled, “A Post-Reflective Examination of the Physical and Mental Health Suffering During COVID-19 Through the Lens of Christ’s Kenotic and Redemptive Act” in the Journal of Religion and Health on August 20, 2024.
This newly published article explores the profound physical and mental suffering endured by COVID-19 patients, contextualized through the spiritual framework of Pope John Paul II’s Salvifici Doloris. The authors examine the intersection of health challenges and spiritual reflection, offering insights into how patients navigated the pandemic’s difficulties by finding redemptive meaning in their experiences. The study emphasizes the importance of pastoral care and the transformative power of suffering when viewed through the lens of Christ’s own redemptive suffering.
Drawing from medical journals and patient testimonies, it highlights how individuals framed their suffering as divine retribution or punishment. However, through the theological lens of Pope John Paul II’s Salvifici Doloris, the authors propose that suffering can be understood as redemptive—an invitation to participate in Christ’s own sufferings, offering a path to spiritual conversion and healing. The study also underscores the importance of providing holistic pastoral care, addressing not only the physical and psychological needs of COVID-19 patients but also their spiritual well-being. Using Pope John XXIII’s See-Judge-Act methodology, the paper calls for an approach to care that integrates medical treatment with spiritual and emotional support, encouraging deeper engagement with the redemptive possibilities of suffering.
This reflective examination provides a unique theological and spiritual perspective on the unprecedented health crisis caused by COVID-19. It contributes to ongoing discussions about the role of faith in times of suffering and encourages deeper engagement with the redemptive potential of human suffering. The article calls for more integrated pastoral care that respects the complexity of physical, psychological, and spiritual pain during illness.
