REPORT ON THE JUST CONCLUDED CHAPLAINCY/SPIRITUAL CARE WEEK HELD 23RD-29TH OF OCTOBER, 2022.

Introduction:

The long week Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Week Celebration 2022, came with a very timely theme: Relevance and Responsive in Times of Crisis.

Why do I say timely? It is so because of the prevailing crisis situation rocking the world currently. Most especially the flooding cases reported globally and particularly in about 12 states in Nigeria, where close to 250,000 people have been adversely affected. At the Global level, the war in Ukraine, has introduced another dimension to the economic downturn universally.

As such, the relevance and responsive nature of chaplaincy profession, is being stirred up in the process. The theme has come to re-evaluate the chaplains' activities in relation to the current development and possibly has challenged the status quo of chaplains to come alive to their core mandate of rendering care to the victims of these anomalies.

In Nigeria, the event kicked off on the 23rd of October and was anchored by the Association of Professional Chaplains Global. The president general of APC Inc. Global, Prof. David Mike-Jacobs, gave the opening charge. In his flag on speech, he appreciated God for another round of Chaplaincy Care Week and assured all his listeners of what they stand to benefit from this year's event. According to him, events outlined for the celebration in Nigeria include, special presentation by the 1st Five. The '1st Five' are the first 5 Board Certified chaplains in Nigeria and the Continent of Africa.

The presentations by BCC, opened up Tuesday 25th with Prof. Chap. Lawrence Nwatu, taking the first shot.

Addressing the central theme of this year's Chaplaincy Week: Relevance and Responsive in Times of Crisis, he in his congratulatory message reminded the professional chaplains that "we need to prove to this world and to assure ourselves the more that chaplaincy and professional chaplains still remain relevant and very responsive even in this time of different crisis. Among which is the ravaging flood.

Chaplaincy profession is very relevant in this prevailing circumstance he lamented. He further stated that Chaplaincy profession and professional chaplains are very relevant and comprehensively unique due to the uniqueness of the in-depth manner and precision with which they approach and carry out their professional practices and service delivery of care.

During the week Prof Dr. Joy David made her presentation on 26th October 2022 on same topic. However, she added a third dimension to the theme which she described as the 3rd "R". Third "R" rephrased the theme to read - Relevant, Responsible and Responsive to crisis. She defined responsibility to mean being answerable to somebody accountable to somebody for an action or for the successful carrying out of a duty. To her, being relevant and responsive in times of crisis for the chaplain, begins with having the needed knowledge.

Other factors that will enhance the chaplains' relevancy will include , education, training, realistic application of knowledge acquired by the chaplain, keeping oneself abreast of development around, events and happenings in the  world and chaplaincy profession and practice, the readiness and willingness to learn new things and the fact that the chaplain must make relevant his profession through preparation , equipping, training in her choice profession to know what needs to be known about crisis situation, effects and methods of handling such.

Next on line was chap Dr. Ayodej Olatunji, who did his presentation on the 27th October. He opened on the fact "that spiritual caregivers have always engaged in crisis situations either as an individual or collectively with other colleagues. Experiences accentuates the value they bring to an organization.

Chaplaincy has by its practices and services proved to be a calling unto a specialized ministry of care giving, counselling, problem solving, conflict resolution, victim assistance, crisis normalization, tension easing, home mending, hope building, chaplains and spiritual caregivers are relevant and very responsive throughout the whole world in times of crisis, he stated.

The last but not the least on the presentation came on the 29th October, by chap Amb Ndubuisi Chikezie, the Global Secretary General of APC Inc.

 

In his speech, he appreciated the United. Nation for allotting a whole week for the celebration of Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Week Celebration as against a day given to most known other professions around the world. To him, this marks the uniqueness and relevancy of chaplaincy as a profession. According to him, this year's event makes it the 37th times it is celebrated by the world, whereas, in Nigeria, it is the 13th times since its inception in the year of the Lord, 2009. It was first celebrated in Nigeria in the city of Port Harcourt, under the leadership of Prof. David Mike-Jacobs.

Chap Ndubuisi gave an encompassing definition of the theme to mean: that Relevance and Responsive in Times of Crisis, lies in the fact and understanding for the need for chaplain caregivers to quickly answer to the call of a person in great danger and intense difficulty be it emotional, psychological, physical, social or spiritual crisis or danger.

The climax of the Chaplaincy week came via a panel of discussion held on Telegram platform and anchored by chap Adebayo. The panelists included: Prof David Mike-Jacobs and Prof A. A. Adams. But unfortunately, after Prof A.A Adams introduced his topic, he was called upon to attend to an emergency situation. However, Prof Mike took his turn to do justice to the motif of the event. Among other things, he showed particular interest to inform his listeners what relevance and responsive in times of crisis entails. It means:

1.    The promptness and immediate response from professional chaplains on issues and matters in crisis situation. This denotes the relevance and importance of such professionals in the society.

2.    Relevant response in crisis situation is an added value in practicing chaplains in crisis situations.

3.    Relevant and responsiveness in crisis situation is the hallmark of practicing chaplains in chaplaincy practice and service delivery.

4.    Professional chaplains have the mandate to be responsive in crisis situations to enhance their relevance in the society.

5.    The entire world and universe is waiting for professional chaplains to respond positively and promptly in crisis situation

He further categorized crisis into 4 classes:

1.    Mild crisis.

2.    Serious crisis

3.    Violent crisis

4.    War crisis

Challenging professional Chaplains, Prof. Mike, asserted, chaplains' relevance, importance and significance does not just come, it must be laboured for. Our prompt responsiveness to crisis actually determines our relevance as chaplains and spiritual care givers".

Conclusion: Of a truth, Relevance and Responsive in Times of Crisis, is very cardinal and sacrosanct for the professional chaplain. Facts gathered from all keynote speakers, showed that it is not even enough for the chaplain to respond to victims of crisis situations but that such must be done quickly and promptly when the situation is still redeemable.

Otherwise, if the help arrives late, it may be as good as not responding at all. Professional Chaplains are highly in demand particularly in the face of the crumbling walls of economic, social, financial and physical life of the present age. God help Chaplains to live up to this expectations.

See you all next year for another edition of Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Week Celebration. Bravooo!

Report coming from the desk of APC Inc. Global Secretary General,

Chap Amb Ndubuisi Chikezie