European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy
August 25 2005
To the Participants of the Association of the
Healthcare Chaplaincy of Latvia
On behalf of the European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy, allow me to
convey my best wishes upon the embarkation of your conference whose theme
will be: “Spirituality and Health Care - the Integration of Professional
Chaplaincy in Heath Care”.
It is truly significant that your Association has taken the initiative to
organize this conference and deal with this important theme. It captures the
concerns all of us in Europe as to the direction which chaplaincy is taking
and the difficulties it faces. It appears that all of us are beginning to
realize that, if we do not provide a true spiritual content as caregivers,
we will not be able to provide that which is necessary to heal the wounds of
those who suffer.
Your theme brings up the basic question of our pastoral identity and how
this identity can be integrated within a healthcare system. The
difficulties, though, are two fold. On the one hand, we must delve within
ourselves as to discover our calling as spiritual care providers. This is
often a painful struggle in that we are challenged as to our personal faith
and commitment. On the other hand, we are faced with the difficulty of being
placed in health care settings and systems that question faith and the
spiritual aspects of the patient. Therefore, we are continually in the
process of a personal integration of faith and a witness of this faith. We
here must be careful as to not fall into the tendency to conform to secular
“medical models” at the cost of losing our basic identity as those who
proclaim God’s love and grace. At the same time, we must find ways in
relating the spiritual entity of illness to all those who have been
delegated as health care providers.
Your conference also is significant in that the Peace Lutheran Church of
Plymouth, Minnesota, USA, in sponsoring it. The European Network of Health
Care Chaplaincy has taken much effort in establishing relations with other
chaplaincy organizations throughout the world. I firmly believe that we can
all learn from one another is a vital and valuable way so as to grow
personally “in the Lord” and in our capacity as spiritual care givers.
Latvia has shown all of us in Europe that enthusiasm and commitment in what
we do is an essential part of forming a well-structured and efficient
chaplaincy. Your Association has given us all the hope that we can continue
in our own countries and health care setting with the support and
encouragement that your momentum radiates. Because of your enthusiasm and
commitment, your Conference will surely be a success.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)