Pas″tor‐al (?), a. [L. pastoralis: cf. F. pastoral. See Pastor.] 1. Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life.
2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter.
Pastoral staff(Eccl.), a staff, usually of the form of a shepherd's crook, borne as an official emblem by a bishop, abbot, abbess, or other prelate privileged to carry it. See Crook, and Crosier. — Pastoral Theology, that part of theology which treats of the duties of pastors.