Cultural Event Summary
Abstract
Religion and spirituality manifests the way of living of a specific population. As such, individuals and groups who observe religious practices or believe in spirituality have varying thoughts and views about interactions, personalities, and even their perception of health, illnesses, and well-being (Collins, 2006; Sartori, 2010). Nurses and other health care providers have crucial roles in bringing change in advanced nursing practice and healthcare provision (Collins, 2006); hence, cultural beliefs and religious practices must be recognized as an important factors in providing the service to individuals and groups.
This paper presents a case study of a cultural event that may be significant to the nursing practice. Devout Catholics have their own views about the importance of sacraments as early as infancy. Their faith also contributes to their perceptions about health and illnesses. Nurses and health care providers must recognize religious practices and specific ethical considerations in responding to the health needs of their clients coming from diverse backgrounds.
The description of events
Christians, specifically, Catholics often celebrate the arrival of a newborn through baptism, the first of seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Baptism, as defined by St. Thomas Aquinas, is the external washing of the self, done through a prescription of words (Fanning, 1907). It is believed that baptism would redeem the newborns from the original sin. It is also the manifestation of one’s profession of faith to the Catholic Church.
The researcher attended a baptism rite of an infant of Filipino descent. Mark (not his real name), a three-month old baby whose parents are both immigrants, was baptized in a nearby Catholic church. There were about twenty people who graced the rites administered by the parish priest. The baptismal rite started in the morning.
At the door of the church, Mark, his parents, and his godparents were met by the priest. After the parents and godparents professed their faith to the Catholic Church, the priest recited prayers and several verses from the bible that stated the need to clean the soul from the remnants of original sin brought by Adam and Eve’s disobedience from God. The ceremony, according to him would allow the child to be born again and be one with Christian community.
The priest placed his stole over the child and introduced to him the Catholic faith. He also asked the godparents of the child to profess their faith and then touched his ear and nose with spittle. According to the priest, this would let the child discern the truth and clear his mind from all the evil acts.
After placing the stole, the priest led the renouncing of the devil which the parents and godparents seconded. He anointed the chest of the child with an Oil to “become a good judge of truth and knowledge like the Holy Spirit.” He also anointed the shoulders with the same oil for the Holy Spirit would guide him to engage in good will and lead him away from apathy.
The priest, later on, signed the cross a few times and gently poured water in the head of the child, and recited, “Mark, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The godparents simultaneously held the child as they make a sign of the cross. Then, the priest took the Holy Oil and signed a cross on the child’s forehead to profess that he is now part of the Christian community. The priest put a white veil on the child’s head and said that the white garment symbolizes innocence and purity just like Christ.
After wearing the garment, the priest ordered the lighting of candles. He said that burning light would serve as guide to the child towards obedience to the commandments, and goodness so that he may become righteous. The baptismal rites lasted for less than an hour and after the ceremony, Mark’s family headed to their rented apartment for the reception. The researcher was invited to join the family in welcoming Mark to the Christian world.
The reception was simple. They served a few Filipino food and specialized pastries designed with Mark’s photo with a heading of “Welcome to the Christian World.” Mark’s parents were very accommodating and allotted time to talk to the researcher amid tending to the needs of the guests, majority of which were Filipino immigrants. After reception, the godparents inserted a few dollars on the child’s armpit and pockets. They called it pakimkim (pocket money), apart from the baby gifts that they have already before the baptism started. One of the godmothers, whom they fondly called as “ninang,” told the researcher that the pocket money would bring him and his parents’ good luck or “pampaswerte.”
Discussion of how you felt "different" from or "connected" to the group during the experience
The researcher felt connected to the event not because of its solemnity, but how the family valued the child. It showed how the family and their immediate support system would practice their traditional beliefs to ensure that the child obtain the quality of life that he deserves. The event manifested a symbolic affirmation that the parents would do everything for their child to be well and protected. Even if there were differences in terms of practicing spirituality from the researcher and the subjects, the common idea that the best interest of the child is of prime concern united them. Both the researcher and parents were concerned about Mark’s holistic development, including his health.
The researcher felt connected because of the hospitality that the family has shown. They were warm even to non-relatives. It manifested the adults’ communal concern not only to the child, but also to others where they would readily offer themselves to lend an ear or share their hands.
The values of concern, respect, and nurturance at the onset of human life is true to the nursing profession’s value to human experiences; thus, it is imperative for nurses to respect faith, religion, and spirituality as distinct components that provide avenues for individuals and communities to define their experiences, including their beliefs and practices in health and illnesses (ANA, 1991).
Cultural beliefs and values underlying the event
The event emphasizes the value of spirituality to the family’s life and the practices observed by the many generations of the family. As devout Catholics, the family embraces beliefs about the practice of baptism. First, Mark’s parents believe that baptism rites would free the child from original sin; thus would prevent him from being behavioral problems. Second, baptism would protect him from illnesses as the devil would refrain from causing him any harm; and lastly, it is a must for infants in their family to be baptized during infancy as it would lead him to an abundant and healthier life.
The family’s practice of spirituality, despite the many years living away from the Philippines, continue as they observe the sacraments. Non-compliance to these would mean “punishment” from the heavens through illnesses. According to Mark’s mother, they were raised in a conservative and religious, but compassionate family. As devout Catholics, they attended mass regularly, donated whenever they can, and even volunteered on several Filipino communities’ ministry. These acts gave them a sense of pride and assurance that they would live longer and become healthy. The child’s family held a belief that he would also observe these traditions to continue their family’s “blessings” and legacy which has been passed on to many generations.
The Philippines is one of the few countries around the globe that remain devoted to the Catholic faith, with 81% of its population identify in the said faith (Pew Research, 2015). It can be rooted in more than 300 years of Spanish regime in their country and the persistence of Catholic doctrines embedded in the Philippine culture. Indeed, it is common for many Filipinos to practice Catholicism, especially, if they were practically raised in conservative and religious families where spiritual life is a necessity.
Implications of these values and beliefs for the provision of advanced nursing practice and health care services for this population
One of the competency requirements for the nursing practice is cultural competency. The American Nurses Association (ANA) emphasizes that cultural competency necessitate understanding on cultural groups’ life processes, definition of health and illness, maintenance of well-being, attitudes and beliefs on the ethology of diseases, health care practices, and the ways the practitioner’s cultural background influence the delivery of service (Collin, 2006).
Murphy explains that the culturally-competent care means having adequate, “knowledge, attitude, and skills,” to provide care for people of different cultures and languages. Since culture encompasses the way of living of people, it is not limited to language acquisition, but being aware of shared traditions and values of a specific population. It also requires to become aware of the interactions, family dynamics and spirituality of individuals being cared (Murphy, 2011 p.5).
Cultural competence also entails knowledge, skills and attitudes on religious and spirituality practices of various client populations. As proven by studies, nursing practitioners who are able to meet their clients religious and spiritual needs apart from the services that they commonly provide, help patients cope with illnesses, improve their outlook in life, and even prevent self-destructing behaviors such as suicide attempts and substance abuse (Koenig, et al, 2001; Moreira-Almeida et al, 2006 in Sartori, 2010). Because religion and spirituality provide meaning and hope, and reason to keep living, they bring positive health outcomes and greater satisfaction rate both to clients and service providers (Wilding, 2007 in Sartori, 2010; Collins, 2006).
Cultural competence also recognizes the importance of ethics in providing of health care services and in nursing practice to specific populations. Alora and Lumitao stress that ethics in countries such as the Philippines focuses on social units; thus, religion and the nursing practice are based on moral virtues and not defined by principles. For Filipinos, ethics is deeply rooted in the way of life and virtues embodied among individuals and groups (Reimer-Keikham, 2009).
Thorough assessments on spiritual needs and team work with culturally-sensitive service providers can improve the provision of healthcare services to individual and families (Sartori, 2010). Since many Filipinos are known to be religious, respect on their observance to sacraments such as mass, baptism and even anointing of the sick must be treated with respect and recognition to their traditional beliefs. Nursing practitioners can develop strategies on how to empathically respond to these beliefs common to many Filipinos.
Lastly, cultural sensitivity among healthcare providers entail systematic changes. These can be done through education and training on cultural competence, nurturance of an inclusive healthcare environment, and promotion of culture of respect and equal treatment to each client. There are various ways that a nurse practitioner can incorporate these particular cultural beliefs into their practice.
The language of this culture is Filipino. It was a source of disconnect because of the language barrier, but the researcher was able to interview through some of the guests to explain and translate few of the details of the baptism rite. On the other hand, nurse practitioners can become more competitive once they understand the patient’s cultural background, which will make them more culturally sensitive when it comes to providing adequate care. Thus, the cultural competence of the nurse practitioner will provide positive interactions with the patients and their families that will address the potential challenges in the creation of care plan.
References
ANA Council on Cultural Diversity Nursing Practice. (1991). Ethics and human rights position statements: Cultural diversity in nursing practice. Retrieved from: http://www.nursingworld.org/readroom/position/ethics/etcldv.htm
Collins, S. (2006). Is cultural competency required in today’s nursing care? NSNA Imprint. USA: NSNA Retrieved from: www.nsna.org
Fanning, W. (1907). Sacraments. The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved February 27, 2016 from the New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm
Lipka, M. (2015). 5 facts about Catholicism in the Philippines. Fact Tank. Washington DC: Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/01/09/5-facts-about-catholicism-in-the-philippines/
Murphy, K. (2011). The importance of cultural competence. Nursing made incredibly easy. USA: Lappincott Williams and Wilkins
Reimer-Kirkham, S. (2009). Lived Religion: implications for nursing ethics. Nursing Ethics. UK: Sage Publications Retrieved from: http://www.sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav
Sartori P (2010) Spirituality 1: should spiritual and religious beliefs be part of patient care? Nursing Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nursingtimes.net/roles/nurse-managers/spirituality-1-should-spiritual-and-religious-beliefs-be-part-of-patient-care/5017359.fullarticle
