First of all, JESUS CHRIST saved our souls.  NOBODY else can do that.  All Christians are apprentices of Jesus.  We are called to BE CHRIST for others.  Pastoral Care---is the primary ingredient helping others to open themselves up to Christ.  

I know a good number of Canon Lawyers who state that Pastoral Care is the HEART of all Canon Law.  After all---law is to promote the Common Good of all which is to help all to form a relationship with God.  Without that our laws are about as worthless as the Jewish laws were at the time of Christ---MAN MADE.