The role of a chaplain in a hospital with multicultural people and of different faith

1. The role of a Chaplain

3. Pastoral Presence
•It is sometimes referred to in chaplaincy as
“pastoral presence.” A caring person’s presence
has its own worth even if patients aren’t
receptive to more overt spiritual dialogue. You
might not be able to speak about God, but your
presence still represents him. Through you, he
shows his concern with what is happening in
their lives.

4. Who is A Chaplain
•A chaplain is expected to be a person who is listening,
caring and familiar figure who gives comfort and
encouragement. They are also to be accepting,
objective and trustworthy, conveying reliability and
reassurance. Chaplains focus on the total person,
providing emotional, pastoral and spiritual support,
while also being available to speak about issues of
faith. They contribute to the wellbeing of inmates and
staff, and also of correctional centres as a whole.

5. Chaplains role is
listen and offer spiritual and emotional
support
Accompany those in crisis or grief
Share prayer and sacraments and to lead
worship
Reflect and consult on ethical concerns and
decisions

6. Chaplains extend the work of faith communities
beyond their own life – into schools, hospitals, prisons,
universities, business, shops, the military, sport, the
emergency services, etc.
They serve the work of education, health, justice,
peace-keeping, protecting the public
 They are public figures, in multi-cultural, multi-faith
settings

7. Chaplains represent the faiths and belief systems of
the local population who use NHS services. You will
work with patients, staff and families with any faith or
no faith. You will work with patients, staff and families
with any faith or no faith.
Provide effective spiritual care as part of an
interdisciplinary team that contributes to the well-being
of staff, patients/clients and their families. Chaplains
assess the spiritual and emotional needs of the patient
and family, initiate interventions and provide resources
to address identified needs.

8. A hospital chaplain offers spiritual guidance and
pastoral care to patients and their families. As
representatives of religious traditions, chaplains in
hospitals and medical centers use the insights and
principles of psychology, religion, spirituality, and
theology.
Provides patients with supportive, reflective time to
talk about how their spiritual or religious experiences
and beliefs can support them in the hospital and
healing process. Offers or arranges for spiritual or
religious support for all faith traditions and beliefs.

9. Some things to keep in Mind
• Try to avoid speaking too quickly and offering unhelpful
feedback.
• Listen for their theology of suffering. Understanding how people
interpret suffering is another key way to offer help.
• As patients begin to share, use their own words to highlight and
affirm them.
• Simple and brief responses are often enough to show that you are
listening, understand, and are signaling for them to continue sharing.
• The simple practice of listening to and being present with patients has
great value.