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Health Care Chaplaincy in France
Catholic Health
Care Chaplaincy
Protestant Health
Care Chaplaincy
2002 Standards Document in
French
CATHOLIC HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY
I am Anne Humeau : National Chaplain of the
catholic church in France.
I am married and mother of five children.
I have been appointed to this lay ecclesial minister by the “Conférence
des Evèques de France” (Conference of catholic bishops in France).
Chaplaincy co-ordination at country level is my prime responsibility.
The chaplaincy in France is represented in most cities and directly
reports to each local bishop who appoints local chaplains. About 20,000
people constitute the country catholic chaplaincy. Most of them are
volunteers under the supervision of locally appointed chaplains. Chaplains
are either volunteers or hired by hospitals or health structures.
Chaplaincy team work and team spirit is given very high consideration at
every level of activity : Country, province (or archdiocese), diocese and
health establishment
If the chaplaincy team is the body which sends out to the elderly, the
disabled and the sick, it is also the “return point” where everyone
reports what happened, as did Jesus’ disciples returning from the mission
he had assigned to them. Since Easter morning Christ resurrected is with
us, “He is always already here”, present in each of our encounters.
Chaplaincy in France has to comply with restrictions directly
associated with secularity constraints. The separation of Church and
State, which took place in 1905, has defined a "French-style" secularity
in which the chaplaincy has a peculiar status : it is the sole ecclesial
reality present in government structures.
I will be accompanied by Pierre Bouisset
who is the chaplain of a major hospital in Montpellier a city in southern
France. He also belongs to the laity, is married, and father of two boys.
[May 2008]
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PROTESTANT HOSPITAL
CHAPLAINCY
Ministers working as chaplains in hospitals consider “visiting as the
heart of their ministry”. For carers, “the patient is at the centre”. This
statement is reiterated in every legal text governing the French health
system and has become the foundation underpinning every decision made in
hospitals. Since chaplains are involved alongside hospital carers, they
cooperate with them in order to counsel patients and their close relations.
P. Ricoeur was close to the medical world and reminded us of the importance
of factoring in patients’ expectations. The doctor/patient relationship, as
revisited by doctor-philosopher G. Reach, is now evolving. Briefs are being
redefined. Some professionals see carers as the ones who supply the
information required to make therapeutic and technical support choices. The
patient’s responsibility in such matters becomes highlighted. Astonishment
on the part of patients faced with these new responsibilities can sometimes
be expressed during pastoral counselling.
Visiting remains at the heart of hospital chaplaincy. However, in view of
the changes taking place, defining anew the role of both chaplains and
visiting volunteers has become a priority, as well as ensuring their
training in listening and supporting, and in theology and ethics. Indeed,
involvement in hospitals now requires more than good will. Specific skills
are now needed in order to be able to work with hospital staff. How can
carers be made aware of psychological anguish without betraying
confidentiality? How can medical teams be contacted when a therapeutic
action is misunderstood? How to obtain recognition by hospitals of requests
for spiritual guidance? It has now become impossible to improvise in matters
of hospital chaplaincy or volunteer visiting.
21st century chaplaincy must deal with new parameters, with societal changes
and with economic aspects and data communications which increasingly rule in
hospital environments. In view of these new features, the French Protestant
Federation of Churches ( FPF) is reacting. In several regions of France,
specialised pastoral fraternals are being set up and are quite active,
organising regional conventions, taking part in debates on ethics, drafting
charters and contributing to volunteer visitors training. The ESMS
Chaplaincy Commission of the FPF also organises, among other activities,
theological seminars and the Francophone Chaplaincy Days (next session : 23
to 26th of October 2008 in Brussels, Belgium). The Commission is also the
privileged contact point between chaplains and the French Health Ministry.
Three major issues will need to be worked out as they have an impact on the
future:
- The drafter of the latest ministerial memorandum stated the
timeliness of strengthening relations between ecclesiastical and
hospital institutions, as also underscored in the Quality reference
document of the FPF. Within this context, the role, profile and training
of chaplains will be defined.
- The strengthening of our links with the public authorities, with the
other hospital chaplaincies in France and with the Network of European
Chaplains, is also taking place at this time.
- Also ongoing is the design of Web pages dedicated to hospital
chaplaincy on the FPF Web site, in order to increase visibility.
[Thanks to Christine Mear
translated the article from French into English]
Anne Miller-Lauprete, Pastor of the reformed Church of France
since 1986, hospital chaplain since 1999 and member of the Chaplaincy
Commission, is author of the above statement. Presently involved in the work
of the Commission, she is also interested in philosophical and ethical
questions, which arise within the health sector.
[May 2008]
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