Why it is Impossible
for Religion to be Separated from Chaplaincy Practice and Service Delivery
Abstract: Impossibility of separated
religions, faiths and beliefs of people, patients and care recipients in
chaplaincy practice, care and service delivery.
Preamble: Chaplaincy profession is known and
widely accepted globally to be a religious based or faith based profession.
Although chaplaincy is not entirely religious or ritualistic yet the aspect of
some rituals and concerns. Remember, people cannot be ruled out and forms an
integral part of chaplaincy profession.
The sophistication brought about by developments and
advancement in the world has not ruled out religious inputs in chaplaincy. The
reasons are as follows:
1.
Even
with interfaith and inter religious services and ministration in a pluralistic
settings; people sometimes request for or demand some religious rituals such as
sacraments, baptism, prayers etc.
2.
Sometimes
too, families of patients or care recipients especially the terminally ill may
request some observance of some religious rituals for the relations according
to their faith and beliefs of the patients and that of the families. It is
still normal chaplaincy practice.
3.
End
of life journey. During end of life stage, individuals who are waiting to be
translated or cross to the other side of life may request for some religious
rituals or family members requesting such. It is normal chaplaincy practice.
4.
As
chaplaincy practice and services are not limited or reserved for the sick
alone; but rather for all people, chaplains are sometimes asked to offer
ceremonial services especially religious ceremonies which makes religion an
important aspect of chaplaincy practice and service delivery to people. Religion
therefore is an important inclusion of chaplaincy practice and services
delivery, such ceremonies includes:-
·
Marriage
ceremonies and anniversary.
·
Retirement
ceremonies.
·
Burial/funeral
ceremonies.
·
Memorial
ceremonies.
·
Birthday
ceremonies etc.
5.
Visit to care recipients. Chaplains visit to
care recipient most especially in the hospitals are unique because it
incorporate religious connotations which makes such visits different from other
interdisciplinary professionals. religion is an integral part of chaplaincy.
Classification of
Practicing Chaplains: I wish to classify practicing chaplains into 3 main category, namely:-
1.
Religious
based chaplains.
2.
None
religious chaplains.
3.
Chaplains
who combine the functions of both religious and none religious activities.
The none religious based or faith based chaplains are called
the “Humanist chaplains.” all chaplains, in whatsoever category the function,
they:-
·
Seek
to provide the same services to people they are called to serve through their
professional practice.
·
Helping
to give hope in hopeless situations.
·
Helping
people to find meaning in life.
·
Caring
for all people without discriminations.
·
Standing
with care recipients in their situations.
·
Helping
people navigate through life difficulties.
·
Journeying
with people in their dark moments of dark soul journeys until resilience is
attained and recovery achieved.
·
Providing
spiritual care to all people without bias.
Are you interested in online professional chaplaincy training
to enable you offer beneficial chaplaincy care and services, get registered at
the prestigious chaplaincy institute – Prodam-J Chaplaincy Institute for
adequate and proper professional chaplaincy education and training to make you
outstanding among your equals? Call 08033072375; 07055287861; 08035092416 or
WhatsApp – 09091981944
Chap. David Mike-Jacobs
CPC, CPST, BCC.
Professor of
Anthropology, Certified Chaplaincy Educator & Trainer.
Blog: thechaplain1.blogspot.com
17th Oct,
AD2022
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