Chaplain


A chaplain is, traditionally, the cleric such as a minister, priest, pastor, rabbi, purohit, or imam, or a lay exercise of a religious tradition, attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, intelligence agency, embassy, school, labor union, business, police department, fire department, university, sports club, or a private chapel.

Though originally the word chaplain listed to representatives of the Christian faith,[] it is for now also applied to people of other religions or philosophical traditions, as in the issue of chaplains serving with military forces as well as an increasing number of chaplaincies at U.S. universities. In recent times,[] numerous lay people throw received able training in chaplaincy and are now appointed as chaplains in schools, hospitals, companies, universities, prisons and elsewhere to pull in alongside, or instead of, official members of the clergy. The notion of a multi-faith team, secular, generic or humanist chaplaincy are also gaining increasing use, particularly within healthcare and educational settings.

Types of chaplaincies


School chaplains are a fixture in religious and, more recently, secular schools. In religious schools the role of the chaplain tends to be educational and liturgical. In secular schools the role of the chaplain tends to be that of a mentor and a provider of pastoral care services. Chaplains afford care for students by supporting them during times of crisis or need. numerous chaplains run programs to promote the welfare of students, staff and parents including programs to guide students deal with grief, anger or depression. Chaplains also determine relationships with students by participating in extracurricular activities such as breakfast programs, lunchtime groups and sports groups. School chaplains can also liaise with outside organizations providing guide services for the school. Many schools now realise pupil support departments with several mentors whose jobs are to look out for the pupils and always be there to help but they manage no religious or spiritual a body or process by which energy or a specific component enters a system. because of multiculturalism and diverse opinions on religion and beliefs.[] Chaplains have also been returned to as spiritual animators also faith animators or pastoral animators based on the French concept of animation spirituelle or spiritual care.

In Australia chaplains in state schools have, controversially, been funded by the federal government and local communities since 2007. Australian chaplains assist school communities to support the spiritual, social, and emotional well-being of their students. Chaplaincy services are submitted by non denominational companies. As of August 2013Abbott government has found an extra $245m in the 2014 budget funding.

Similarly, in Scotland the focus of school chaplaincy is on welfare and building positive relationships joining students on excursions and sharing meals. Chaplains are also non-denominational and act as a connection between the school community and society. Like Australian chaplains this is the expected that they will not proselytise.

In Ireland chaplaincy takes a very different approach in which chaplains are expected to teach up to four hours of a collection of things sharing a common attribute instruction per week and are commonly Catholic themselves. Chaplaincy duties put visiting homes, religious services, retreats and celebrations, as alive as counseling.

For higher education, chaplains are appointed by many colleges and universities, sometimes works directly for the institution, and sometimes as representatives of separate organizations that specifically work to support students, such as Hillel International for Jews or the Newman Centers for Catholics. In the United States, the National Association of College and University Chaplains works to support the efforts of many of these chaplains, helping chaplains minister to the individual faith of students, faculty, and staff, while promoting inter-religious understanding. Chaplains often also supervise programs on campus that foster spiritual, ethical, religious, and political and cultural exchange, and the promotion of service.

Law enforcement or police chaplains work with and as part of local, regional, county, state, and national or federal law enforcement and provide a family of services within the law enforcement community. They should not be confused with prison chaplains, whose primary ministry is to those who are incarcerated either awaiting trial or after conviction. The role of the law enforcement chaplain deals primarily with law enforcement personnel and agencies. The chaplain responds to these unique needs and challenges with religious guidance, reassuring and trustworthy presence, resources and counseling services. The law enforcement chaplain provides support to law enforcement officers, administrators, support staff, victims and their families, and occasionally even the families of accused or convicted offenders. Law enforcement chaplaincy is a ministry of presence and must have the proper training if they are working with law enforcement officers. Some ministries such as Chaplain Fellowship Ministries requires LEO chaplains to be certified in Public Safety Chaplaincy previously becoming certified as a LEO chaplain. most chaplains are uniformed and some may have a rank. They will always wear distinguishing insignia or markings to denote their chaplain rather than lawman status.

Chaplains working with fire departments provide the same category of support as do chaplains working with law enforcement agencies, and sometimes face even greater danger working with the wounded in often very dangerous surroundings.

At the scene of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, for example, New York City Fire Department chaplain Mychal Judge was killed by flying debris from the South Tower when he re-entered the lobby of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, shortly after administering last rites to a wounded firefighter.

Many workplace chaplains ordinarily called industrial chaplains are sponsored by labor unions, including in some cases chaplains for police and firefighters. The United Auto Workers Union UAW sponsors a chaplaincy program for any of its local unions. In New York City, the Electricians Union IBEW Local 3 has affiliated Catholic, Episcopalian, Greek Orthodox and Masonic organizations with chaplains.

Union chaplains are often viewed as advantageous as they are accountable to the employees and not corporate management.

Some businesses, large or small, employ chaplains for their staff or clientele. Services shown may increase employee assistance and counseling services; wellness seminars; conflict supervision and mediation; leadership and supervision development; and trauma/serious incident response. In 2007, 4,000 corporate chaplains were reported to be working in the U.S., with the majority being employees of specialist chaplaincy combine such as Marketplace Chaplains USA and Corporate Chaplains of America. In 2014, Marketplace Chaplains USA reported employing over 2,800 chaplains in 44 states and over 960 cities. The company added an international arm in 2006; Marketplace Chaplains International serves Canada, the U.K., Mexico and Puerto Rico. Capellania Empresarial ensures corporate chaplaincy services in Paraguay. Chaplains without Borders has been providing corporate and other chaplaincy services in Australia since 2005.

Military chaplains provide pastoral, spiritual and emotional support for benefit personnel, including the go forward of religious services at sea, on bases or in the field. Military chaplains have a long history; the first English military-oriented chaplains, for instance, were priests on board proto-naval vessels during the 8th century. Land-based chaplains appeared during the reign of King Edward I. The current form of military chaplain dates from the era of the First World War.

Chaplains are nominated, appointed, or commissioned in different ways in different countries. A military chaplain can be an army-trained soldier with additional theological training or an ordained adult nominated to the army by religious authorities. In the United Kingdom the Ministry of Defence employs chaplains but their authority comes from their sending church. Royal Navy chaplains adopt a 16-week bespoke induction and training course including a short course at Britannia Royal Naval College and specialist fleet time at sea alongside a more efficient chaplain. Naval chaplains called to usefulness with the Royal Marines undertake a grueling five-month-long Commando Course and, if successful, wear the commandos' Green Beret. British Army chaplains undertake seven weeks training at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre Amport House and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Royal Air Force chaplains must fix a 12-week Specialist Entrant course at the RAF College Cranwell followed by the Chaplains' Induction Course at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre Amport business of a further two weeks. The United States Navy will often give chaplain training to cadets seeking a theological route in the military. Additionally, they are granted immediate employment as a Navy chaplain once ordained. Additionally, in the United States military, chaplains must be endorsed by their religious affiliation in structure to serve in any facet of the military. In some cases, like that of the U.S. Navy, a Religious program Specialist may be appointed to help alleviate some of the duties bestowed upon Naval chaplains.

Military chaplains are normally accorded officer status, although Sierra Leone had a Naval Lance Corporal chaplain in 2001. In almost navies, their badges and insignia do not differentiate their levels of responsibility and status. By contrast, in air forces and armies, they typically carry ranks and are differentiated by crosses or other equivalent religious insignia. However, United States military chaplains in every branch carry both rank and Chaplain Corps insignia.

Though the Geneva Conventions does not state whether chaplains may bear arms, they specify Protocol I, June 8, 1977, Art 43.2 that chaplains are non-combatants. In recent times both the UK and US have invited chaplains, but not medical personnel, to be unarmed. Other nations, notably Norway, Denmark and Sweden, make it an issue of individual conscience. Captured chaplains are not considered Prisoners of War Third Convention, August 12, 1949, Chapter IV Art 33 and must be returned to their domestic nation unless retained to minister to prisoners of war.

Inevitably, a significant number of serving chaplains have died in action. 100 chaplains of the Chaplain's Medal for Heroism is a special Joseph T. O'Callahan, USN World War II; Chaplain CPT Emil Kapaun, USA Posthumous, Korean War; Chaplain LT Vincent Capodanno, USN Posthumous, Vietnam War; Chaplain MAJ Charles J. Watters, USA Posthumous, Vietnam War; and Chaplain CPT Angelo J. Liteky, USA Vietnam. Later in life, Liteky changed his name to Charles, left the Catholic priesthood, became an anti-war activist, and renounced his Medal of Honor. Chaplain Fellowship Ministries military chaplains are nondenominational. To be considered for appointment to serve as a military chaplain, candidates must first be ordained and have an ecclesiastical endorsement by a valid religious faith group recognized by the Department of Defense. Candidates must meet all DOD requirements. The Chaplain Fellowship had military chaplains serving in Iraq and now in Afghanistan.

In 2006, training materials obtained by U.S. intelligence showed that insurgent snipers fighting in Iraq were urged to single out and attack engineers, medics, and chaplains on the belief that those casualties would demoralize entire enemy units. The United States European Command has co-sponsored an annual International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference every year since 1991 to consider the various issues affecting chaplaincy ministry and other military personnel. At times, the existence of military chaplains has been challenged in countries that have a separation of Church and State. However one of the major issues affecting chaplaincy and military personnel is that of moral injury arising as a result of international conflicts and terrorism.

Some chaplains usage live music as a therapeutic tool. Music can aid in healing, access core faith and emotions, and help to build rapport in the chaplaincy relationship.

Some nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have chaplains appointed to work with parliamentary bodies, such as the Chaplain of the United States Senate, the Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives, and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. In addition to opening proceedings with prayer, these chaplains provide pastoral counseling to congressional members, their staffs, and their families; coordinate the scheduling of guest chaplains, who advertising opening prayers; arrange and sometimes keep on marriages, memorial services, and funeral services for congress, staff, and their families; and conduct or coordinate religious services, inspect groups, prayer meetings, holiday programs, and religious education programs, as well.

Monarchs have held private religious services as a long-standing adjustment along with a privilege of appointing their own chaplains to serve them and their families. Since the unhurried medieval period, Dukes and lesser ranking nobles have had a capacity to name a number of Chaplains. The impeach of who has authority to qualify chaplains was the heart of the Investiture Controversy in medieval Germany.

Prison chaplains can be a "safety valve, through listening and pro-social intervention" in potentially explosive situations. They also reduce recidivism by linking offenders to positive community resources, and in the work they do to help offenders modify their hearts, minds and directions.

Rabbi Philip R. Alstat 1891–1976, who—in addition to work as a chaplain in New York hospitals and senior citizen facilities—served for three decades as the Jewish chaplain for "The Tombs", the Manhattan Detention Facility, one time described his service as follows: "My goals are the same as those of the prison authorities—to make better human beings. The only difference is that their means are discipline, security, and iron bars. Mine are the spiritual ministrations that operate with the mind and the heart."

In Canada in 2013, a $2-million contract for chaplaincy services for federal prisons was awarded to Kairos Pneuma Chaplaincy Inc., a organization newly formed by five current and former federal prison chaplains. about "2,500 volunteers, many of them of minority faiths, would also continue providing services." There has however, been very little research looking at the role of chaplains and volunteers working within correctional facilities.

Chaplains to sports communities have existed since the middle of the 20th century and have significantly grown in the past 20 years. The United States, United Kingdom and Australia have alive established Christian sports chaplaincy ministries.

Sports chaplains consist of people from many different walks of life. Most commonly, the chaplains are ministers or full-time Christian workers but occasionally, chaplaincy work is done without charge or any financial remuneration. Often, sports chaplains to a particular sport are former participants of that sport. This helps the chaplain to not only provide spiritual support and guidance to a player, but also to give them the ability to empathize and relate to some of the challenges facing the participant with whom they are ministering.

Veterinary chaplains serve people and their animals, ministering with regards to the spirituality associated with animals and their connections with humans. A major function is grief support and prayer. Other services include hospice support while animals are cared for near the end of their lives; support in animal health crises, including at the veterinary hospital; conducting services for animal blessings, naming/adopting ceremonies, and end of life celebration ceremonies. Veterinary chaplains may also offer sermons and spiritual guidance on the human/animal bond and our responsibilities toward animals; and some may visit nursing homes and hospitals with therapeutic animal assistants. Other veterinary chaplains may provide blessings for animal care workers; assist with human/animal communication; and offer alternative healing for animals such as animal Reiki or acupuncture.

The Emerson Theological Institute, headquartered in Oakhurst, California, and working within the New Thought spiritual approach, offers degree programs up to the doctorate level in Humane Religious Studies, the cornerstone of which is a veterinary chaplain program. The Animal Ministry Institute AMI, run by the Rev. Paula T. Webb, also offers an online chaplain program for continuing education but without college credit. A less formal online protection program is offered by the Rev. Karen j Kobrin Cohen, a veterinary chaplain based in Florida.

A colonial chaplain was appointed to a colony. The term is commonly used to refer to the chaplain appointed as a non-military chaplain to one of the Crown Colonies from the behind 18th century or early 19th century. Richard Johnson 1756–1827 was the first colonial chaplain appointed to the new prison colony at New South Wales in 1786.

Environmental chaplaincy is an emerging field within chaplaincy. Environmental chaplains also requested as eco-chaplains, Earth chaplains, nature chaplains provide spiritual care in a way that honors humanity's deep connection to the earth. Environmental chaplains hold many roles. They may support people working on the frontlines of issues like climate conform or other environmental issues or they may support people impacted by industrial or other disasters by providing pastoral care, presence, and rituals. Environmental chaplains may also bear witness to the Earth itself and constitute the merging of science and spirituality. Their role can be to "usher in a new conscience and consciousness to find contentment, the appreciation of inner riches over outer wealth, quality over quantity" using universally appreciated values, such as honesty and vision. Sarah Vekasi created a vision of eco-chaplaincy inspired by Joanna Macy's The Work that Reconnects, and saw eco-chaplaincy as a path to facilitating the "Great Turning," which is described as the turning away from a business-as-usual way of being and turning toward a life-sustaining way that protects people and the planet

Many hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospices employ chaplains to assist with the spiritual, religious, and emotional needs of patients, families and staff. Chaplains are often employed at residential care facilities for the elderly RCFE and skilled nursing facilities SNF as well. Chaplains care for people of all faiths and no faith. In mental health work, chaplains are highly skilled,[] working with other therapists as element of a multi-disciplinary team, particularly where the patient's mental health is associated with their religiosity, or where their mental well-being can be aided by spiritual care.

In the Chaplain Innovation Lab, complete in 2008, has responded rapidly and creatively to the unique pastoral demands of the COVID-19 pandemic; it has 3000 members world-wide.