Diocese of Saint-Etienne to host spiritual retreat for health care workers

The Diocese of Saint-Etienne held a spiritual retreat for health care pastoral workers on October 6, 2026. The day of recollection addressed how spirituality is expressed during the final stages of life in hospitals and nursing homes.

Pascale Vassal, head of palliative care at the Saint-Etienne University Hospital and president of the Terre d’éthique territorial health ethics committee, spoke about the ethical challenges of end-of-life care. Jean-Pascal Chourry, the diocesan delegate for health and disability pastoral care from the Diocese of Nice, spoke on the importance of addressing spiritual needs within the care process.

Chourry noted that the mission of a chaplain involves supporting broad spiritual needs rather than only providing religious services like prayer or sacraments. The retreat included testimony from a chaplain at the Hôpital Nord of the University Hospital regarding the role of listening and accompaniment for patients and their families.