Theological and Pastoral Responses to Persons Who Experience Moral Injury
Maria Surat, M.Div., Theology, Medicine and Cultural Fellow, Duke Divinity School
Some soldiers leave the battlefield with not only bodily scars but wounds of the spirit that are often unaddressed upon their return home. Homecoming is complicated by the reality that some veterans experience deep anguish around aspects of their lives in the military. Clinical psychology refers to this experience as “moral injury.” Christian communities refer to this experience as "animi dolore", anguish of the soul, a term used by St. Augustine of Hippo to describe experiences of persons whose lives have been touched by war.
This essay will explore resources within the Christian tradition for healing and restoration for those who experience anguish of the soul, particularly related to experiences of war-related trauma. I will progress in three movements. First, I will briefly characterize the experience of “moral injury” or “anguish of the soul.” Next, I will examine clinical and Christian theological responses to persons who experience “moral injury.” I will argue from a Christian perspective that while clinical psychology offers helpful resources for healing and restoration, clinical models do not provide a complete approach to human flourishing and health. Within the Christian tradition “healing” moral or spiritual anguish is not simply focused on alleviating a person’s feelings of guilt or shame, but ultimately aims to draw men and women toward the sacred: reconciled communion with God and neighbor. I will argue that theological and pastoral responses to those who experience “moral injury” or “anguish of the soul” offer a robust vision of human healing that can enrich modern clinical care practices with Christian persons. Finally, I will examine practices and resources for healing within this Christian understanding of health as restored relationship with God, community, and creation. In particular, I will offer examples of Christian communities who have turned to practices such as truth-telling and listening, liturgical celebration, and care for creation as ways to accompany persons who experience moral and spiritual anguish. I seek to foster conversation in which conference participants are invited to think creatively about how these practices of Christian healing might be integrated in clinical care settings.
Some soldiers leave the battlefield with not only bodily scars but wounds of the spirit that are often unaddressed upon their return home. Homecoming is complicated by the reality that some veterans experience deep anguish around aspects of their lives in the military. Clinical psychology refers to this experience as “moral injury.” Christian communities refer to this experience as "animi dolore", anguish of the soul, a term used by St. Augustine of Hippo to describe experiences of persons whose lives have been touched by war.
This essay will explore resources within the Christian tradition for healing and restoration for those who experience anguish of the soul, particularly related to experiences of war-related trauma. I will progress in three movements. First, I will briefly characterize the experience of “moral injury” or “anguish of the soul.” Next, I will examine clinical and Christian theological responses to persons who experience “moral injury.” I will argue from a Christian perspective that while clinical psychology offers helpful resources for healing and restoration, clinical models do not provide a complete approach to human flourishing and health. Within the Christian tradition “healing” moral or spiritual anguish is not simply focused on alleviating a person’s feelings of guilt or shame, but ultimately aims to draw men and women toward the sacred: reconciled communion with God and neighbor. I will argue that theological and pastoral responses to those who experience “moral injury” or “anguish of the soul” offer a robust vision of human healing that can enrich modern clinical care practices with Christian persons. Finally, I will examine practices and resources for healing within this Christian understanding of health as restored relationship with God, community, and creation. In particular, I will offer examples of Christian communities who have turned to practices such as truth-telling and listening, liturgical celebration, and care for creation as ways to accompany persons who experience moral and spiritual anguish. I seek to foster conversation in which conference participants are invited to think creatively about how these practices of Christian healing might be integrated in clinical care settings.