This research utilized related literature in theology, health and other social sciences. The chapters of this research are structured and aligned in view of Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology. To conduct the evaluation, the study utilized a practical theological methodology proposed by Richard Osmer (2008). Chapter Four proposes the possible ways of including pastors from other denominations in mental health healing at Saint John of God Mental Hospital where the current policy does not involve pastors in the healing mission. Chapter Three is a historical discussion on the contribution of pastors in the healing of patients in the hospital. The chapter discusses the burden of relapse of patients as a result of excluding pastors of other denominations in the healing ministry.

The second chapter evaluates the Curia, Provincial and the Malawian Pastoral Care policy documents. A presentation on liberation (feminist) theology in Chapter One is done with an aim of giving a voice to patients suffering from mental illness. It further discusses the concept African Synod on inculturation as a component of evangelisation. In foregrounding the study, the first chapter focuses on the African epistemology on illness and healing. This research considers the possibility of including pastors of other denominations in the caring of patients at Saint John of God Mental Hospital to achieve sustainable healing. Such instructions have led to relapse of patients who seek readmission to the hospital or in worse scenarios, some commit suicide. The patients are instructed to stop medication after the pastors pray for them.

This study emerges from my experience as the Pastoral Care Coordinator for Saint John of God Mental Hospital that has led me to discover that most patients, once they are discharged, turn to pastors with no experience of the treatment of mental illness, with tragic results. The exclusion of pastors at the hospital often leads to the relapse of mentally ill people when they (or their guardians) seek the services of pastors once they are discharged from the hospital. The problem that this study investigates is the exclusion pastors belonging to other denominations in the healing ministry of people with mental illness. This study critically evaluates the involvement of pastors among people suffering from mental illness at Saint John of God Mental Hospital belonging to the Roman Catholic Church in Mzuzu, Malawi.

Tzar the burden of the crown patch fr