Chaplaincy Ab Initio and in Contemporary Times

Chaplaincy Ab Initio and in Contemporary Times

Speech Delivered at the Continental Chaplaincy Day (Chaplaincy Day in Africa)

On 1^st of May, year AD 2019

@ The Voice Int’l Colloege, Ijako – Ogun State, Nigeria

By

Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CPC

President General of APCIN

Distinguished guests, invitees, visitors and all chaplains present; greetings.

I wish to stand on the established protocol, wishing you all the best of this celebration today the 1^st day of the month of May which is very important and historical in the continent of Africa.

Happy celebrations and congratulations for being a part of this historic and epoch making celebration. I have decided to speak on “Chaplaincy Ab Initio and in Contemporary times” on this occasion to give credence to today’s continental day celebration in the continent of Africa.

When I say chaplaincy ab initio, I am simply referring to chaplaincy at the starting point, chaplaincy at the beginning and chaplaincy at the very first commencement. 

I am delighted to be opportune by the Almighty God “Yahweh” to speak on this occasion about the very beginning and starting point of chaplaincy and chaplaincy in the contemporary times.

The legendary founder of chaplaincy according to historical records was a pagan Roman solider who was moved by compassion and inspiration to offer half of his treasured cape to a freezing beggar on a snowing day.

The singular act of his marked the beginning of and starting point of chaplaincy even though unknown to him. At the very commencement of chaplaincy, the legendary founder of chaplaincy demonstrated a high level of compassion, shared half of his cape with another human being who was in need to save the God-given life of the needy. By so doing:

1.     He met with the felt need of the beggar.

2.     He assisted in salvaging God-given life from destruction in the hands of terrible snow.

3.     He gave the beggar the needed warmth.

4.     He brought betterment to the living conditions of the freezing beggar.

5.     He made life more meaningful, enjoyable and pleasant for the freezing beggar.

All these acts of his are incorporated in chaplaincy practice.

I earlier said that he was acting on inspiration some of you may be wondering what I am talking about a pagan solider being inspired. History had it that when he slept that faithful day in his dream, the beggar made Himself known to him as Jesus Christ.

This made the Pagan Roman solider to approach a Roman Catholic Bishop for counsel and direction. Chaplaincy was then fine-tuned by the church and it became the ministry of the church to the outside world beyond the church settings.

I am happy to say that in contemporary times, chaplaincy has been taken to the intellectual world, with people of various religious and people of no religion at all such as humanists; taking chaplaincy practice on mission to all sectors of the economy and every aspects of human life and endeavor.

In contemporary times, chaplaincy has not only gained a professional status globally, it has also incorporated spiritual care services into its professional practice.  Today, chaplaincy provide ministry and service to the living whether sick or terminally ill, the dying and the dead.

Chaplaincy has equal respect and regards for souls, living or dead, sick or healthy.

In this celebration, we are celebrating the introduction of chaplaincy to the continent of Africa and in Nigeria in particular, immortalizing this particular day to the glory of God. God bless you all.