Ego must be transformed to create healing presence, priest says

Published: 2004-05-17

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Individual ego must undergo a transformation if a person wants to be a healing presence to others, Franciscan Father Richard Rohr told Catholic hospital administrators gathered in New York. The healing presence cannot be a matter of the mind or will alone, but is possible only through involvement of the total person, he said. Drawing on the thought of Ken Wilber, a Colorado-based writer who emphasizes an integral approach to psychology and problems of society, Father Rohr said the first function of religion is to establish identity and create meaning for the self. But people will become rigid in their identities unless they go on to what he said is the second function of religion -- helping people "learn to start drawing on a larger resource." Father Rohr, an author and retreat director, is founder and director of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, N.M. Speaking in New York May 16, Father Rohr gave the keynote address to the annual weeklong Catholic Healthcare Administrative Personnel Program, held at St. John's University with co-sponsorship by St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .