Wilfred McSherry
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, June 2006, 216pp, pbk, £14.99/$24.95
ISBN 1 84310 365 6
The relationship between spirituality, religion and pastoral care is not easily accessible or comprehensible. While there has emerged a consensus that argues spirituality is not the same as religion, a variety of writers define spirituality in different ways. It remains to be seen, through research and further reflection on practice, how this consensus about spirituality relates to practice and especially in the health care context. McSherry, in this book, considers these questions and their implications for a holistic approach to care and pastoral support.
The book is attractive because it uses the experience in a measured and illuminating way. This experience is connected to reflective activities that encourage the reader to take further their understanding of what spirituality means both to patients and to healthcare professionals. Spiritual assessment and a team approach are also discussed here.
The book achieves its aspiration to be accessible and comprehensive. However, a small word of caution – this book needs to be used and practiced and then evaluated if we are to see whether the tools offered enable the inter-disciplinary team to understand this complex and contradictory concept.
James Woodward