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Request for research
articles
We have received an invitation from the National Assocation of Catholic
Chaplains in the USA to share research information.
Dear Sister and Brother Chaplains
European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
Greetings:
We at the NACC are committed to sharing Chaplaincy-related research: to
give each-other material for reflection and to report on interesting and
useful developments in chaplaincy.
Research is not removed from a chaplain’s bedside work of listening and
comforting. More work is emerging from the field of chaplaincy — work
showing systematically what we all know anecdotally, that chaplains offer
a real, tangible benefit to the patients and families they serve.
Chaplaincy research may be an original study by a working chaplain, being
published for the first time; or it may be a summary of valuable work
published in professional journals. It is an unfortunate fact that studies
are not always presented in a particularly user-friendly format, but our
goal is to provide an article that will be applicable on the hospital
floor.
If you are interested in using Vision to present the results of your own
work to your American peers, or if you have seen work printed elsewhere
that would deserve a wider audience, please contact for more information
to Chaplain Paul Buche:
Research Section Editor
Vision – The Newsletter of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains
paul_buche@valleymed.org
[February 2008]
Top
Ensuring a caring,
careful death for all
Bryan Nolan from Dublin has drawn our attention to an article about the
importance of chaplains for dying people written by a colleague of his on
the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme in Ireland.
Writing in the Irish Times on 23 October 2007 Paul Murray writes about
care for the dying and how chaplains are there when we have more need of
the divine than a physician
Read the Article
[November 2007]
Top
National Meeting of
Association of Professional Chaplains
The national meeting of the Association of Professional Chaplains in
the USA will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 8-12 March 2008.
More information on the APC website:
www.professionalchaplains.org
[November 2007]
Top
International
Council on Pastoral Care and Counselling.
8th World Congress of ICPCC 2007
Kathleen O'Connor from Ireland has written an article about the 8th
World Congreress of the International Council on Pastoral Care and
Counselling which was held in Poland in August. This will give an
overview of the congress for those who were not able to attend.
Read the article
ICPCC Website
[October 2007]
Top
Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains Association
The new Director of Training for the Northern Ireland Healthcare
Chaplains Association, Derek Johnston has shared two PowerPoint presentations from a
recent training event:
Mental Health Awareness
Suicide Awareness
[October 2007]
Top
Establishment and
development of palliative care in Ukraine
Anne Miller-Lauprete from France visited Ukraine in May 2007 and has
written about the establishment and development of palliative care, giving
a glimpse of the health situation in Ukraine today. Anne writes,
"The exchanges between France and the Ukraine in the area of palliative
care are definitely thanks to the Network and especially to the Web site."
Read Anne's paper
[August 2007]
Top
3rd Czech –
Slovak Ecumenical Consultation for Healthcare Chaplains and Pastoral
Workers
Marie Opatrná who was a representative at the ENHCC Lisbon Consultation
in 2006 gives information about the Czech – Slovak consultation for
healthcare chaplains and pastoral workers which takes place at the end of
September. She writes, "The first meeting was two years ago, when we
were 4 persons. Last year we were about 10 persons, this year we should be
about 30.)
Another significant development in Prague is the agreement of both the
Dean of the Charles University and the Director of the General Teaching
Hospital in Prague to the establishment of a Clinical Pastoral Care Unit.
Programme of the Czech – Slovak
consultation
[August 2007]
Top
Coordinator sends
greetings to Latvian Conference
August 16, 2007
To the Members of the Association of
Professional Healthcare Chaplaincy of Latvia
Dear Fellow Chaplains of Latvia,
As you begin your noteworthy conference of Latvian Chaplaincy, the second
in your history, allow me to relay the best wishes of all the participants
of the European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy (ENHCC), that your
conference be most successful.
The Association of Professional Healthcare Chaplaincy of Latvia has proven
to be a prime example of how chaplaincy can grow on all levels, developing
a high professional standard of spiritual health care. It gives all of us
hope that others will follow your example.
The theme of your conference is timely. At this moment, one of the main
concerns of the European Union is how care can be offered to those who are
struggling in illness and in the face of death. The ENHCC has been
involved in discussions on a EU level which seem to be promising. The fact
that your conference will deal with this issue on an inter-discipline
level shows you realize the many facets of this area of concern.
What we very often forget, though, is that the struggle with life and
death issues actually begins before illness and death become obvious. Each
crisis of daily life poses us with the challenge to maintain our human
dignity and place our lives in the perspective of God’s Eternal Kingdom.
Truly, there cannot be real dignity if we cannot assort the meaning of
life in relation to what is eternal. Facing illness and death through this
perspective gives one great hope in God’s everlasting love and mercy.
I am sure that your conference will be successful in that your bond as
chaplains will give you all the requirements needed to continue providing
spiritual care to those that have been entrusted to you.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
Top
Conference in Latvia
Latvia Association of Professional Health Care Chaplaincy (LPVAKA) is
holding it's 2nd international conference "The Quality of Life in Illness
and Death - Interdisciplinary Approach" on 21-22 August, 2007. For detailed
information, please, visit LPVAKA's web site
http://www.lpvaka.lv/indexstarteng.html
[August 2007]
Top
Death of Ton Hanrath
Roel Hekking from the Netherlands has passed on news of the sudden
death of Tom Hanrath in a car accident while on holiday in France.
Fr Stavros has written a letter of sympathy to the chaplaincy organisation
in the Netherlands, VGVZ:
Dear Fellow Chaplains of the Netherlands,
I was very saddened and grieved by the news that Ton Hanrath of the
Netherlands died at the age of 49 in a fatal automobile accident while
travelling with his family in France.
Ton was one of the founding members of the
consultations for hospital chaplaincies that began in 1990. Together with
Roel Hekking, he organized the 3rd Consultation in Oirschot, the
Netherlands, in September 1994, which had as its theme: “The relationship
between ministerial and professional competence regarding the quality
standard of Hospital Chaplaincy”. Attending this Consultation were 24
participants from 15 countries. Ton continued playing a leading role in
the consultations of Bath, England (1996) and Rome (1998). At the historic
consultation that took place in Crete in 2000, Ton posed the need to form
a network which would formally bring European Chaplaincies together.
Throughout his deep concern for the advancement
of chaplaincy in Europe, Ton accentuated the need for professionalism and
high standards of all spiritual care givers. His insistence on high
quality care was a momentum in forming the Standards of Health Care
Chaplaincy in Europe.
Within his own country, the Netherlands, he was
instrumental in forming the multi-cultural aspect of spiritual health
care.
On behalf of all the chaplains throughout Europe,
I would like to ask that you relay my sincere sympathy to all the members
of the VGVZ for the tragic loss of such a very energetic and significant
colleague.
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
[August 2007]
Top
European Network of
Homeless Health Workers
We have just received the first two issues of the newsletter of the new
European Network of Homeless Health Workers.
[August 2007]
Top
Recommendations
on State, Religion, Secularity and Blasphemy
During its June 2007 part-session, the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe adopted the following texts, emanating from the
Committee on Culture, Science and Education,
[August 2007]
Top
Church and Society
Commission Update on European Affairs June 2007
Topic covered: Treaty reform, future perspectives: Portuguese EU
Presidency – social issues – Commission key initiatives for 2008, CSC
Plenary Meeting, intercultural dialogue, EU-CoE cooperation.
Update Documents June 2007
CSC Report on the Treaty Reform
CSC/CCME response to the
Council of Europe White Paper consultation on Intercultural Dialogue
[August 2007]
Top
Hospital
Visiting Volunteers in Pécs, Hungary
Tünde Édes, who has worked as as the only hospital chaplain for the
last 16 years in the hospitals of Pécs in Hungary writes about a new
exciting scheme for volunteer hospital visitors in her city.
Text of the Presentation by Tünde Édes
[July 2007]
Top
ENHCC involvement
in EU Palliative Care Meeting
In his July Coordinator's report,
Fr Stavros writes about his involvement in a meeting held at the Office of
the EU’s Commissioner for Public Health regarding “Palliative Care in
Europe”. This meeting was initially suggested by the ENHCC when we
presented our statement on Palliative Care to the Director of the
Commissioner’s office, Mr. Margaritas Schinas, this past autumn.
[July 2007]
Top
Rev Naatan Hammer
invites Representatives to the 10th Consultation of ENHCC in Tartu Estonia
The first invitation letter has now been sent out to invite
representative to come to the 10th Consultation of the european Network of
healthcare Chaplaincy will will take place in Tartu, Estonia 28 May-1 June
2008. [More]
[July 2008]
Top
Nordic Chaplains meet
in Finalnd
The 18th Nordic Conference for Hospital Chaplains was held in Porvoo,
Finland, 13 - 16 June 2007 with the theme The Landscape of the Soul. There
were 80 participants from all Nordic countries.
The Conference was organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
and led by the Rev. Kirsti Aalto.

[June 2007]
Top
Conference in Latvia
August 21-22 2007
Network Committee member,Dana Kalniņa–Zaķe, who is Chair of the Board
of LPVAKA and Head of the Spiritual Care Department of Paul Stradins
Clinical University Hospital has sent information a forthcoming
conference in Latvia: "The Quality of Life in Illness and Death -
Interdisciplinary Approach"
www.lpvaka.lv
Provisional Progamme
[June 2007]
Top
Visits to San
Francisco and London
In his May report to the Network Fr Stavros writes about his
experiences at the Association of Professional Chaplains' Conference in
San Francisco and his visits organised in London by Fr Edward Lewis.
[More]
[May 2007]
Top
Updates from the
Conference of European Churches

Below are 3 documents received from the Council of European Churches.
CSC Update on European Affairs (May
2007)
Talking with one of the founding father,
Max Kohnstamm
CSC Report on the Constitutional Debate
[May 2007]
Top
Network invited
to participate in an EU meeting on Palliative Care in Europe
Fr Stavros writes: During Holy Week, I received a call from the
office of the Commissioner of Public Health of the European Union telling
me that there will be a meeting on “Palliative Care in Europe” in June.
This is a direct response to the request we as the ENHCC made to the
Commissioner in October, when we presented him with the Statement on
Palliative Care. I was informed that this meeting will take place on June
13th in Brussels. It will be a meeting, with representatives of major
European organizations such as ours which deal with Palliative Care and
representatives from the EU Commission and Parliament.
Since being informed by the Commissioner’s office, we have spoke several
other times. He has stressed that this all is being done after the idea
posed by us and is very thankful and hopeful for good progress.
This is a major break though for the ENHCC in its efforts in shaping
health care in Europe in a way where the spiritual/religious needs of the
sick are tended to and where chaplaincy is acknowledged.
List of participants
[June 2007]
Top
EUFAMI - 4th European
Congress - Poland - September 2007
The 4th European Congress of EUFAMI (European Federation of Associations
of Families of People with Mental Illness) will hold their 4th European
Congress "Touching the Stars, toward a better quality of life" in Torun,
Poland 14-16 September 2007. It is a congress for family members,
people with experience of mental illness and health and social care
professionals.
For more information and how to register visit
www.eufami.org
[March 2007]
Top
Fr Stavros
writes to the President of the European Association of Palliative Care
Fr Stavros has written to Marilene Filbet, President of the European
Association of Palliative Care. He draws attention to the Network and
our statement on palliative care made
in Lisbon in 2006.
This has now been published on the website of the European Association of
Palliative Care.
www.eapcnet.org/latestnews/EuropeanNetworkHCCh.htm
Marilène Filbert replies:
It is a great honour that you send to our association all this very
important work. As you said we have a lot of things in common and we can
share all the recommendation already done. I suggest that you
publish your standards in our journal, and in our web site.
Letter to Marilene Filbert
[February 2007]
Community Action on
Health Services
Fr Stavros has offered a response to the EU concerning community action
on health services.
The response is published with the others on the EU website (Number R033)
here:
EU Website
EU Commission consultation regarding
communition action on health services
ENHCC Response
CEC Church and Society
Commission and Eurodiaconia joint response
[January 2007]
Top
December Debriefing
Meeting after EU Summit
Brussels, 18-12-2006
Dr Michael Weninger hosted a debriefing meeting after the EU summit
earlier this month. He gave report on four issues:
- the European constitution
- the enlargement of the EU
- Turkey
- Kosovo.
Two special guests introduced their work at the EU. Those chaplains that
are working with young adults should check out the text of Lerais and those
chaplains who are part of ethical committees should check out the work of
the European Group on Ethics.
Belgian greetings from your reporter-on-the-spot
Anne Vandenhoeck [More]
[December 2006]
Top
The Coordinator
writes his thanks after Brussels Dialogue Seminar
Fr Stavros sent letters of thanks to officials in Brussels participating
in the dialogue seminar on "Social Services and
Healthcare Services: A Contribution of the Churches and Church Organizations
to the European Social Model” held in October 2006. [Read
Fr Stavros' account of the seminar]
Letter to Stefan Lunte (Assistant to the Secretary General,
COMECE)
Letter to Dieter Heidtmann (Excecutive Secretary, Church and Society
Commission, CEC)
Letter to Michael Weninger, European Policy Advisor on Dialogue with
Religions, Churches and Humanism of the
European Union
Letter to Margaritas Schinas, Chef of Cabinet of the Commissioner for Health
and Consumer Protection, Markos Kyprianou, European Commission
[November 2006]
Top
Working Group on
Bioethics
We have received a summary of the decisions taken at the latest meeting
of the Working Group on Bioethics of the Church and Society Commission of
CEC.
Read the summary
[October 2006]
Top
Complementary Spiritual Practices
The Association of Professional Chaplains in USA has published a chart
describing the variety of complementary spiritual practices and theraplies
which are now in use. They invite others to submit information on this
topic. [More Information]
[November 2006]
Top
ENHCC will feature in a forthcoming book about
Chaplaincy
Fr Rudolf Albisser (Co-president of the Association of Catholic Health
Care Chaplains in German Speaking Switzerland) will publish a translation in
German of a shortened version of the Coordinator's report made at the Lisbon
Consultation. This will appear soon in a book about new
developments in hospital chaplaincy, Spitalseelsorge im Wandel.
Text in German
[October 2006]
Top
Report about the Lisbon Consultation published in
Switzerland
Marlène Inauen has written a full report of the Lisbon Consultation which
was published in October 2006 in German in the Schweizerische
Kirchen-Zeitung (The official Journal of the Bishops' Conference of
Switzerland) Page 662
Read the article on Page 662:
BRÜCKEN BILDEN – HOFFNUNG STÄRKEN
818KB
[October 2006]
Top
Czech – Slovak Consultation on Health Care Chaplaincy
Marie Opatrná has sent a copy of the programme of the
Czech – Slovak Consultation on Health Care Chaplaincy held 5-8 October 2006.
This Consultation was held under the auspices of Department of Oncology of
the First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital – Clinical
Pastoral Care Centre.
Read
the Programme
Top
Ukraine marks
World Hospice and Palliative care Day
Continuing the report about the palliative care development in Ukraine, I
would like to inform you that All-Ukrainian Council for patients rights and
security organized or initiated some events connected with World Hospice and
palliative care day. Leaders of largest Churches of Ukraine supported the
initiative of the All-Ukrainian Council for prayer for the dying and
incurably ill persons on 7th October 2006. Also a press-conference about the
World hospice and palliative care Day was held.
The representative of Ministry of Health Mrs. O. Kolyakowa, Vice-President
of All-Ukrainian Council Mr. W.Serdiuk, representative of International
Renaissance Foundation Ms. M.Sawchuk and President of the Palliative care
Association Mrs. S.Martyniuk-Gres participated in it. Four TV channels
broadcasted it and five publications in newspapers issued.
Also, the second meeting of Task Force on improving of legal acts on
palliative care took place. At the meeting, deputy mayor of Kharkiw city
proposed a pilot project on palliative care implementation in Kharkiw. He
accented the possibility of financing of hospices and creating
a palliative care system in Kharkiw from the budget costs – 2007.
Reaction from the Kharkiw administration is very hopeful. Task Force
activities on needs assessment consolidate efforts of regional enthusiasts
and creates good foundations for new activities and initiatives directed
towards patients rights advocacy.
The activities of the Task Force has shown that the basic directions of
activities in palliative care in which the technical support and additional
resources needed are:
- Analysis and monitoring of needs in palliative care
- Analysis of barriers (legal, educational, organizational etc) and
monitoring of access to adequate anesthetization
- Forming and implementation of the National protocol of the pain
syndrome
- Forming of educational programs, books and other materials to educate
palliative care specialists
- Elaboration of legal acts which regulate implementation and
development of palliative care in Ukraine (on both regional and national
levels)
- Intensive experience exchange with international experts (seminars,
conferences workshops etc)
- Improving the actual material base of palliative care provision
Alexander Wolf
Palliative care in Ukraine advocacy Director
[19 October 2006]
See also:
Ukraine holds an Ecumentical Service for
Palliative Care (September 2006)
Top
ENHCC to attend Brussels Seminar on Health
and Social Care
Fr Stavros writes:
This is a short note to inform you that our Network has been asked to
participate in a “Dialogue Seminar: Social Services and Healthcare
Services: A Contribution of the Churches and Church Organisations to the
European Social Model” that will take place in Brussels, held by the
European Union in conjunction with the Conference of European Churches
(Commission of Church and Society). The meeting will be held on the 17th and
18th of October. Those invited to the meeting are the Churches that have
liaison offices at the EU.
I have decided to go to Brussels and attend this meeting. It will give us,
as a Network, the opportunity to make our presence and show that we play in
decisive role in the area of health care. This meeting will also give me the
opportunity to make direct contact with the General Secretary of the
Commission of Church and Society of the CEC in Brusssels, Rev. R. Noll, and
explore ways in which our organizations can work closer together.
Being that I will be in Brussels, I have arranged a meeting with Mr.
Maragretas Schinas, Director of the office of the Commissioner of Public
Health. At this meeting, I will present him with the
statement on Palliative Care that we
made in Lisbon and explore the possibilities to calling a meeting of all the
chief agents involved in this area of care. Being that Dana Kalnina-Zake
will also be in Brussels to attend the Dialogue Seminar, representing
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, I have asked her and Anne Vandenhoek,
our EU representative, to join me at this meeting.
[11 October 2006]
Top
Ukraine holds an Ecumentical Service
for Palliative Care
Let me greet you on behalf of the All-Ukrainian Council for Patients
Rights and Security.
The numerous addresses, briefs and asks of the Ukrainian citizens made us to
begin the project of Palliative Care in Ukraine.
The Palliative Care care has not only medical and social aspects; it
has a strong spiritual aspect.
So, in the World day of the hospice and palliative care (07.October
2006) we plan to organise the Ecumenical Divine Service (or The
Ecumenical Prayer) where representatives of different Churches. Also,we
addressed the First Persons of the Churches acting in Ukraine and proposed
them to organise the prayers for those who are dying in Ukraine, is
incurably ill or needs the palliative care. For
now, the ideas are officially supported by the Roman-Catholic Church,
Evangelic-Lutheran Church and Ukrainian Lutheran Church. Other Ukrainian
Churches (also Orthodox) supported us also.
If you have any materials, ideas, please send them to us. The contact person
is Mr. Alexander Wolf, the Project Palliative Care Coordinator. His E-mail
is alexander@tb.org.ua,
phone / fax + 38 (044) 235 65 87
With kindest regards,
Prof. MDr Yuri Gubski
President of the Council
Progress in Palliative Care in Ukraine
July-September 2006
Press Release
[September 2006]
Top
Fr Stavros send
greetings to Finnish Chaplains' Conference
Dear Fellow Chaplains in Finland,
On behalf of all the participants of the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy, I would like to greet you upon the embankment of your annual
Conference which is to take place in Oulu (Northern Finland).
The chaplains of Finland have been an important part in the development of
chaplaincy in Europe. This has been highlighted by Rev. Kirsti Aalto’s
participation in all the European consultations that have taken place since
1990, her significant participation in forming the draft for the Standards
of Chaplaincy for Europe and her election to the Network Committee since the
Turku Consultation in 2002, which your National Chaplaincy graciously
hosted.
Allow me to thank you for the Finnish participation in our recent
Consultation that took place in Lisbon this past May. Here, firm steps were
made in building bridges so that chaplaincy can grow in hope. One of the
steps taken was in agreeing on a “Statement on Palliative Care”.
The theme of your Conference in Oulu, "As companions to the hope and grace",
strikes a sensitive part of chaplaincy that will allow you to build your own
bridge toward hope.
Very often we as chaplains fall into the trap of supposing that we are
capable of healing the spiritual and psychological wounds of those we
minister. In doing this, we lose sight of who we really are and what is
really needed in order for healing to take place. This often leads us to
reach the point of despondency because we soon realize our own inadequacies,
weaknesses and inabilities. We then become like the apostles who turned to
Christ and asked: “why can we not heal” (Mark 9:29) and we fail to hear His
response – that this can only take place if one, through prayer and
abstinence, allows the grace of God to govern one’s life. For, the power to
heal is not ours, but Christ’s who lives in us. When Christ lives in us, we
do not express love in our limited human form, but we are an expression of
His loving grace and bearers of hope – a hope in the Eternal Kingdom, “where
there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting”. Thus, if
we remain masked behind our facade in our attempt to hide our inadequacies
and sinfulness, we will continue creating impersonal and shallow communities
based on committees, social activities, and self-justified philanthropy. If
we persist in our narrow-minded zealousness, we will remain ignorant of
God’s charismata (gifts of grace). Even worse, we will confuse our people
and misguide them, not being able to diagnose their illnesses and determine
their needed remedy.
With prayers that your annual conference will be successful, I assure you
that all of the chaplains in Europe will benefit from your gathering, so
that we can join together and be united in His service.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
[11 August 2006]
Top
Yunus Dudhwala interviewed in
Amicus Health Magazine
The face of Yunus Dudhwala smiles out from the cover of the Summer 2006
edition of the magazine Amicus Health, published by the Amicus
Trade Union in the United Kingdom. Yunus (who was one of the UK
College of Health Care Chaplains representatives at the ENHCC consultations
in Dublin and Lisbon) was interviewed about the vital role of chaplaincy in
today's NHS. Although spiritual care is vital for the health of many
patients, it can sometimes be overlooked.
Read the Article Keeping the Faith [635KB]
(Kindly provided by the Editor of Amicus Health)
[10 July 2006]
The White Dove flies free...
At the end of the opening ceremony of the 9th
Consultation of the European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy held in
Lisbon, Portugal in May 2006 a white dove was released into the sky in the
Convent garden.
At the beginning of July, Fr Nuno (who organised the Consultation) visited
the Convent again. He writes:
The white Dove is still there. She lives at the
Convent. The sisters every day give food to her. And, they tell me, they
every day pray for us, because the dove reminds them of our Consultation.
Myself, I went there some days ago, and I could see the Dove... still
flying, so free... as we have to be!
[6 July 2006]
Top
The 18th Nordic Conference for Hospital Chaplains

The 18th Nordic Conference for Hospital Chaplains will take place on
13–16 June 2007 in
Borgå, Finland. The theme is "The Landcape of
the Soul". For more information contact:
kirsti.aalto@evl.fi
Information leaflet
[8 June 2006]
Top
Sermon in Commemoration
of Florence Nightingale
Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury of the Church of England,
preached a sermon at Westminster Abbey in London for the nursing profession
attending the annual Commemoration of Florence Nightingale.
[Read the text of the
Sermon]
10 May 2006
Top
Coordinator
sends Greetings to Irish Chaplains
Fr Stavros sent Greetings to the Annual General Meeting and Silver
Jubilee of the National Association of Hospital Chaplains in Ireland. The
Theme of the meeting was "Celebrating Christ Joyfully" and about 200
chaplains attended. Fr Stavros' letter will appear in the Assocaition's
Newsletter, "The Carer" [Read letter]
April 2006
Top
Conference on Religions and
Violence
Hubert AUQUE, président de l'AIEMPR [ www.aiempr.org]
Association Internationale d'Etudes Médico-Psychologiques et Religieuses
annonces le XVIIe congrès; il aura lieu en France, à Strasbourg - Palais
Universitaire - du 10 au 14 juillet 2006 ; nous y entendrons en trois
langues (avec interprétariat) -français, espagnol, italien-, outre les
conférences en plénières, les interventions des membres des 17 pays de
l'AIEMPR qui depuis trois ans ont travaillé sur le thème RELIGIONS ET
VIOLENCES?
Hubert AUQUE, president of the AIEMPR,
[www.aiempr.org]
International Association for Medico-Psychological and Religious Studies
announces the 17th conference in Strasbourg, France, July 10-14th, 2006 The
conference will be held in three languages (French, Spanish, Italian) and
will focus on the work the members of 17 countries have done on the issue of
RELIGIONS AND VIOLENCE?
Information from:
Marie-Madeleine Linck
Secrétariat congrès AIEMPR 2006
Commission Eglise et Société
Conférence des Eglises européennes
8 rue du Fossé-des-Treize
FR - 67000 STRASBOURG
T : +33 3 88 15 27 60
F : +33 3 88 15 27 61
18 April 2006
Hospital Chaplains meet in Strasbourg
The Protestant Commission for Hospital Chaplaincy is organizing a
seminary in Strasbourg from April 3rd to April 7th 2006 for all French
speaking hospital chaplains throughout Europe. The Commission organizes
similar events every two years to facilitate contacts and exchanges between
French speaking hospital chaplains. This year chaplains of all Christian
Churches have been invited to attend as well as volunteers who visit the
sick. The conferences given will treat current development of hospital
chaplaincy and its practice throughout Europe. Thanks to contacts with the
Network, colleagues from other European countries will give conferences
during the seminary. We will have the honour to welcome Kirsti Aalto from
Finland and Fr Angelo Brusco from Italy.
23 March 2006
Top
Consent to the storage and use
of embryos
Recently issued is a Chamber
judgment at the European Court of Human Rights. The case concerns consent
to the storage and use of embryos. [Press Release]
20 March 2005
Top
Annual Canadian Chaplaincy Conference
The Canadian National Conference for Spiritual Care Providers and
Counsellors (CAPPE/ACPEP) wil be holding their annual conference 15-18th
February 2006 in Winnipeg Manitoba, the heart of Canada. ENHCC Participants
are invited to attend. [More
information]
14 January 2006
Top
Article about EU and ENHCC in PlainViews
Anne Vandenhoeck from Belgium has had an article published in PlainViews
about the European Union and ENHCC.
Read the
PlainViews article
18 November 2005
Top
Latvian Chaplaincy
Conference
The November Newsletter of Peace Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota,
USA has an article about the recent conference in Latvia of the Association of Professional Healthcare Chaplaincy of Latvia
: "Spirituality and Health: the Integration of
Professional Chaplaincy in Healthcare" . The article has
some positive things to say about ENHCC.
Peace Lutheran Church was the main sponsor of the conference and has been
influential in allowing halthcare chalaincy to develop in Latvia.
Read the article
6 November 2005
Top
Network Committee meet in
Istanbul
The members of the Network Committee of the ENHCC gathered between the 30th
of September and the 2nd of October 2005 in Constantinople (Istanbul),
Turkey, for their annual meeting. The meeting took place at the Ecumenical
Patriarchate, who hosted the event. [More]
3 November 2005
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Six faith groups in Britain
warn against legalising assisted dying
We have received a press release from Ecumenical News International in
Geneva about the assisted dying debate in the UK.
Leaders of six British faith communities have expressed grave concern at
possible steps to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill, in advance
of a debate on the issue in the House of Lords, the upper house of the
British parliament.
[More including the letter from the
Faith Leaders to members of the UK parliament]
12 October 2005
Top
Professional Standards from the Netherlands
Read the English translation of the Professional Standard of the Netherlands
Association of Spiritual Counsellors in Care Institutions (VGVZ).
[Document]
26 September 2005
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Patenting of Stem cells
ENHCC has received a note written by Katrin Hatzinger from the EKD office in
Brussels on the report of the European Commission on patenting of Stem
cells.
It is in German, but the report can also be found in other languages on the
EC website.
Press release and links in English
[16 September 2005]
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Coordinator sends
Greetings to To the Participants of the Association of the Healthcare
Chaplaincy of Latvia
Fr Stavros Kofinas wrote:
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” ....[more]
[25 August 2005]
Top
Some ENHCC people at the
10th European Conference for Pastoral Care
and Counselling: Sigtua, Sweden

[16 September 2005]
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10th European Conference for Pastoral Care
and Counselling
The 10th European Conference for Pastoral Care and Counselling will be
held in Sigtuna, Sweden, August 19 - 23, 2005.
Theme of the Conference is "The Secular and the sacred - exploring a
spirituality for our time". Main lecturers are poet and writer Ylva
Eggehorn from Sweden, professor, PhD Leif Gunnar Engedal from Norway and Dr.
Psychoanalyst Matti Hyrck from Finland.
The Conference is organized by ECPCC, European Council for Pastoral Care and
Counselling. The Conference has 70 participants from 20 countries.
The President of ECPCC is Rev. Kirsti Aalto from Finland, vice- president is
Fr. Pádraig Coleman from Ireland.
[17 July 2005]
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ENHCC Constitution now translated
into Finnish
Rev Kirsti Aato (ENHCC Committee member from Finnland) has translated the
Constituiton into Finnish. The Constituion is currently
available in English, Italian and Finnish.
[17 July 2005]
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Latvian Association Organises Conference
The Association of Professional Healthcare Chaplaincy of Latvia is
organising a conference: "Spirituality and Health: the Integration of
Professional Chaplaincy in Healthcare" which will take place in the
Oncological Centre of Latvia, Riga from the 15 - 16 September 2005.
Full information about the conference in Latvian and English is published
on this website:
www.net.id.lv/konference/conference.html
[2 July 2005]
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ENHCC becomes Dialogue Partner of EU
Policy Advisor
At the conclusion of the meeting that took place between Dr
Michael Weninger (Policy Advisor on Dialogue with Religions, Churches
and Humanism in the EU) and the ENHCC (represented by Fr. Stavros Kofinas,
Coordinator, and Chaplain Anne Vandenhoeck, Network Committee Member) the
ENHCC was asked to become a "dialogue partner" of the Policy Advisor. Dr
Weninger called a meeting of all his "partners" to inform then of the summit
of EU leaders and the new developments within the EU, particularly after the
issues raised in relation to the EU Constitution. Representing the ENHCC at
this deliberation was Chaplain Anne Vandenhoeck. [Debriefing
after the European Council in Brussels (June 16-17, 2005)]
[1 July 2005]
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Invitation to 9th Consultation of ENHCC
in Lisbon, May 2006
Fr Nuno has now sent out the invitations to the 9th Consultation of the
ENHCC which will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, 17-21 May 2006. [Letter]
More information from
lisbon@eurochaplains.org
[30 June 2005]
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INTEGRATED CARE PATHWAYS CONFERENCE
Fifty four senior clinicians and managers working in
the UK, Europe and the USA share their experiences of implementing
Integrated Care Pathways in
their organisation. The conference will be held at Church House,
Westminster in London 28-29 June 2005. [More]
[26 June 2005]
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ENHCC COORDINATOR MEETS WITH EU OFFICIALS
Anne Vandenhoeck & Fr Stavros
At the end of June 2005, Fr Stavros and Anne Vandenhoeck went to Brussels to meet with officials of the European
Union. Very profitable meetings were held with: Dr Michael Weniger
(Policy Advisor to the
President of the EU, The Honourable Jose Manuel Barroso, and Chairman of
the EU Group of Concerning Dialogue with Religion, Churches and Humanism);
with Margaritis Schinas (Director of the Office
of the Commissioner of Public Health, Pavlos Kyrpianou); and Dr Antoios Trakatellis
MD (Vice-President of
the EU Parliament).
A full report of these meetings will follow.
[Document presented to the EU Officials about the
Network]
[24 June 2005]
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Working Group on Bioethics and Biotechnology
(Council of European Churches)
ENHCC receives papers from the Working Group on Bioethics and
Biotechnology of the Church and Society Commission of the Council of
European Churches. Rev Kirsti Aalto from Finland (one of the network
committee members) is a member of the Working Group. [Summary
of the meeting held 15-16 April 2005]
[24 June 2005]
Spirituality and health Conference in Latvia
The Association of Professional Healthcare Chaplaincy of Latvia is
organising a Conference on "Spirituality and Health: Integration of
Professional Chaplaincy in Healthcare" which will be held in
Riga, the capital of Latvia, 15-16 September 2005. [
More ]
[24 May 2005]
Top
ENHCC Commitee member Anne
Vandenhoeck has joined the Advisory Board of PlainViews.
Plainviews (
www.plainviews.org ) is an electronic magazine for health care
chaplains. It is published by the Health Care Chaplaincy
(
www.healthcarechaplaincy.org ), a multi-faith center for pastoral care,
education, and research in New York.
[15 May 2005]
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BUILDING
BRIDGES BETWEEN AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN CHAPLAINCIES
STREAMS IN THE DESERT
The annual conference for US - chaplains in Albuquerque, New Mexico, April
2005
Two of the major organisations for professional chaplains in the USA held
their annual conference together in Albuquerque in April. The ACP
(Association for Professional Chaplains,
(
www.professionalchaplains.org/ ) and the NACC (National Association for
Catholic Chaplains, (
www.nacc.org/ ) were the hosts for more then 1300 chaplains gathering in
the desert of New Mexico. Participants could choose from a broad range of
pre- conference workshops, plenary sessions and conference workshops. Anne
Vandenhoeck, committee member of the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy, attended the conference and represented the Network. She brought
greetings from Fr. Stavros Kofinas, coordinator of the ENHCC, to the
conference in Albuquerque. Anne met with representatives of APC and NACC.
Both parties agreed that the North American and European Chaplaincies can
learn from each other. The necessary first steps are taken to start building
bridges of communication and cooperation. To be continued!! The ENHCC’s
committee is grateful for welcoming its representative in New Mexico.
[11 May 2005]
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Letter of Sympathy to the Roman
Catholic Church on the occasion of the death of Pope John Paul II
Most Rev. Javier LOZANO B.
Archbishop Emeritus of Zacatecas
The Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care,
Via della Conciliazione, 3 - 00120
Vatican City
ITALY
Most Reverend Javier Lozano,
Upon the repose of Pope John Paul II, allow me to express my sympathy on
behalf of all the participants of the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy.
Most of all the Roman Catholic health care chaplaincy organizations in
Europe participate in the ENHCC. They have been very constructive in forming
a well-established pastoral ministry in their own countries and have been an
essential part of forming the European Network. They are truly a witness to
the visionary guidance Pope John Paul had in the area of pastoral concern.
I am sure that his visionary presence will be greatly missed, but I am
equally sure that his memory will continue to provide the guidance in
administrating the Pontifical Council of Health Care.
May his memory be eternal.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
[3 April 2005]
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Fr Stavros Kofinas, Coordinator
of the network announces the new ENHCC Library
On 1 April 2005 Fr Stavros wrote to all the participants
announcing that a new section of the Network website has been launched:
"I would like to announce that a special page has been
created on the ENHCC website entitled “The European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy Library”. Our new “Library” will include articles and abstracts
of articles that are related to our work. You can find the Library pages
here:
www.eurochaplains.org/enhcc_library/ One can also click the “Library”
Button on the left hand row of buttons on any page.
Editing the new “Library” will be Anne Vandenhoek of
Belgium, who serves on the ENHCC Network Committee. She will be available to
answer any further questions about the new “Library” and accept your
contributions. All proposals (according to the instructions in the Library
pages) to include articles should be sent to:
library@eurochaplains.org "
[More]
[1 April 2005]
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To the
Participants of the Annual Conference of the
Association of Professional Chaplains and the
National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Dear Fellow Chaplains,
On behalf of the participants of the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy, allow me to greet all of you who are participating in the Annual
Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, co-sponsored by the APC and the
National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Our Network is composed of 31
ecclesiastical and national health care chaplaincy associations from 25
European countries. Its purpose is to share and learn from each other, to
develop professional guidelines and to promote a high quality standard of
health care chaplaincy.
The theme of your conference, “Streams in the Desert – a call to
professional renewal” truly touches on a basic concern that all of us have,
which is the restoration and transformation of our personal and professional
identity. Your theme brings to mind the early Christian ascetics of the
desert of Egypt, who were considered to be the main “therapists” of their
time. Their personal solitude was counter-balanced with the acceptance and
understanding of their fellow brothers and sisters, providing a sense of
solidarity. In them, we see that the “call to renewal” was a daily
challenge. It was not self-centered but was dependant on their reliance on
God’s grace, which continually provided streams of blessings, transforming
their human identity into new beings, beings that expressed God’s
philanthropy.
Through our “European experience” of chaplaincy, we in the Network have
realized that there must be a counter-balance between the solitude found in
our individual chaplaincies and the acceptance and understanding of our
brothers and sisters who minister in the countries around us. We have
realized that we cannot remain comfortable and self-sufficient in our
aloneness. For, this only causes a barrier in developing a true sense of
pastoral identity and renewal.
Although America and Europe are separated by the vastness of the Atlantic
Ocean, we all must be careful not to become comfortable in the solitude of
our own worlds. It is our hope that the chaplaincies of America and those in
Europe can begin to understand and learn from one another in a creative and
transforming way, broadening our sense of personal and professional identity
It is our prayer that God will provide the streams of grace upon all of
those who take part in your most noteworthy conference, allowing for all of
you to fulfil the inner transformation and renewal necessary to continue in
God’s service. We here in Europe assure you that you are not alone in your
desert. We are with you in spirit, remaining in constant prayer for your
well-being.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
[29 March 2995]
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Science in Society Forum
Read an account of the Science in Society Forum organised by
the European Commission in Brussels, 9-11 March 2005 [Text]
[17 March 2005]
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DATE FIXED FOR 9TH CONSULTATION
OF ENHCC
After consultation with participants in the Network the date
for the 9th Consultation in Lisbon, Portugal has been fixed as 17-21 May
2006. [Coordinator's Letter] [Consultation
page]
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Day Conference for the Hospital
Chaplains of the Church of Greece
On the 30th of October 2004, the Church of Greece held a one-day conference
for priests who serve in hospitals under its administrative ecclesiastical
jurisdiction. The Standing Synodical Committee for Special Pastoral Issues
organized the event. The theme of the conference was “The Philanthropy of
the Church and the Philanthropy of God”. About 100 hundred Orthodox
priests attended the conference.
Opening the conference, Metrolitan Efstathios of Sparta, President of the
Standing Committee relayed the blessings of the Archbishop of the Church of
Greece Christodoulos, who was not able to attend due to unexpected
obligations that forced him to change his schedule. In a written message,
the Archbishop stated the importance of chaplaincy in the area of health
care and the devotion that each chaplain needs to have in order to provide
spiritual care to the ill.
Taking part in the conference was the Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas, Coordinator
of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy. Father Kofinas spoke on
“Approaching one’s self and one another through Philanthropy.” He stated
that “philanthropy” must not be limited to an “act” or a “service” but that
it is a way of life, a witness of our participation in God’s eternal
Kingdom.
Other presentations were made regarding the place of health care chaplaincy
in the Church’s history (Prof. Efstathiades of the School of Medicine) and
particularly in modern times (Fr. Nektarios of the St. Savas Anti-Cancer
Hospital). These presentations showed how vital chaplaincy has been within
the framework of the hospital setting both in the past and the present.
In the open discussion that followed the presentations, the chaplains all
emphasised the need for the support from the administrative body of the
Church. The issue of filling of vacancies was also discussed. All hospitals
have the potential to create positions for hospital chaplains, but even if
these positions have not been made, the Church assigns priests to these
hospitals, as an extension of the ministry of a nearby parish. The greatest
problem of providing adequate spiritual care does not seem to be the
hospitals under the Ministry of Health but those that are “private”
institutions.
The Archdiocese of Athens announced that it is now forming a program for
“lay volunteer assistants”. These volunteers will assist the chaplain in
meeting the great needs for social support during hospitalisation. The
Charity Department of the Archdiocese also re-edified said that it is open
to providing contribution to patients in terms of their material needs
(clothing, etc.).
Concluding the event, Metropolitan Efstatios of Sparta reassured the
attending clergy that The Standing Synodical Committee for Special Pastoral
Issues would review all the issues that were raised.
[28 November 2004]
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The
2nd Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and
Peace,
Edinburgh, Scotland, Monday 14 February – Sunday 6 March 2005.
From Monday 14 February – Sunday 6 March 2005 the 2nd Annual Edinburgh
International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace will bring
together artists, scholars, grassroots spiritual activists, and speakers
from the Sufi, Druze, Baha’i, Ismaili, Zoroastrian and other lesser known
spiritual traditions, in addition to representatives of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. More generally, all of the principal faith and
spiritual traditions of Scotland are being invited to participate in this
spiritual, cultural, and educational festival of peace and understanding.
The Festival is jointly organized by the Edinburgh International Centre for
World Spiritualities, EICWS, and the Edinburgh Institute for Advanced
Learning, EIAL, and with the support of many other organizations.
The Festival positively affirms the diversity contained within the religious
and spiritual traditions of the Middle East, as well as those here in
Scotland, in justice and equality. The Festival takes no fixed position on
any political, ethical or cultural question. We intend rather to create a
forum in which we can listen to one another more deeply and learn with a
more open mind and heart. The emphasis of the Festival is on spirituality,
and on spiritual, cultural, and educational approaches to peace and
understanding.
The Festival will bring together at least three different kinds of
presentations. First, we hope to learn from each other about our shared
traditions, as well as those that form the unique voice of any one of us.
Second, we will hear from those who have been active in peacemaking on a
spiritual basis on the ground in the Middle East. Third, we invite
participants to share in the musical and devotional spiritual practice
presented, in order to gain an experiential view of the traditions we
discuss. Simply knowing facts (or presumed facts) about another does not
become real meeting without such an experience.
Programme
[22 November 2004]
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To the Participants of the
Conference of Roman Catholic Hospital Chaplaincy in Germany,
Magdeburg, Germany.
24th – 26th November 2004
Dear Fellow Chaplains,
On behalf of all the participants of the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy, allow me to greet you upon the embankment of the Conference of
Roman Catholic Hospital Chaplaincy in Germany that is to take place in
Magdeburg, Germany.
The theme of your conference, "The profile of hospital chaplaincy in the
future on the background of short-stay patients", addresses one of the major
difficulties we face today in pastoral health care. It not only concerns
itself with the spiritual care that is appropriate and necessary for the
short stay patient’s recovery, but it also brings up the question of the
role and identity of the hospital chaplain and how he functions within and
without the hospital. The growing amount of short-term patients is a
motivation for the chaplain not to remain isolated. The pastor must be even
more accessible, approachable, direct, and must serve as a bridge between
the ecclesiastical and medical community of the hospital and the
ecclesiastical community of the parish.
The Roman Catholic Chaplaincy of Germany has a sound history providing the
foundation needed to encounter all the challenges of the post-modern world
of healthcare. Its participation in the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy over the past years has proven that it holds the strong
conviction that it cannot remain isolated and that it strongly believes in
building the necessary bridges of communication within the community at
large. For this reason, your participation in the ENHCC is highly regarded
by all of its participants.
May your Conference be most successful so that you can continue in offering
us the knowledge and means necessary to improve chaplaincy throughout
Europe.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
[19 November 2004]
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Italian Text of
Constitution to be published
Fr Angelo Brusco has translated the
Constitution of ENHCC into Italian. The
text will appear in the next issue of the magazine "Insieme per servire" (n.
61, July-September 2004).
[Constitution in Italian]
[6 October 2004]
Top
Conference of Roman Catholic
Chaplains of Germany to meet
The Conference of Roman Catholic Hospital Chaplaincy in Germany, consisting
of delegates from 27 dioceses will hold a meeting in Magdeburg, Germany. The
meeting will be held the 24th – 26th November 2004.
The main issue will be "The profile of hospital chaplaincy in the future on
the background of short-stay patients". The question will be where the
patients can be met when they are only in hospital a short time. Where can
pastoral care take place?
Conference of Roman Catholic Hospital Chaplaincy in Germany
Konferenz Katholische Krankenhausseelsorge in Deutschland
Thomas Hiemenz
Katholischer Krankenhausverband Deutschlands
79004 Freiburg
GERMANY
E-mail: thomas.hiemenz@caritas.de
Website: www.kkvd.de
[6 October 2004]
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Finnish chaplains prepare for Annual
Conference
Chaplains in Finland are preparing for their annual conference. Rev
Kirsti Aalto, the Director of Hospital Chaplaincy of the Lutheran Church in
Finland writes: "We have 92 participants on the list. The theme of the
meeting is ... "unto the third and fourth generations"... (Exodus 20:
5). The place is Riihimäki, a small town, one hour from Helsinki, the date
August 24 - 26.
[31 July 2004]
[Photographs and Greetings to the
Conference]
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Ethnicity online helps cultural awareness in healthcare
An excellent online resource,
has been created in the United Kingdom intended to help broaden awareness of the
needs of ethnic groups using healthcare services - as well as the needs of
healthcare staff from ethnic minorities.
Ethnicity online is funded by by the National Health Service
and arose out of an initiative in the
Cambridge University Clinical School that hoped to better educate trainee
doctors in how to treat all of their patients with the dignity they deserve.
The site provides information about diet, religious practice, death,
contraception and many more subjects - so far for a limited selection of
ethnic and faith groups, although ethnicity online is now in a second stage
of development and plans to add much more.
A major challenge facing those working in healthcare all over Europe is to
understand how ethnic differences affect the perception of illness, the
intimate personal interactions necessary for clinical practice and the
delivery of healthcare.
www.ethnicityonline.net
[18 July 2004]
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"THE DANCE OF LIFE - BETWEEN DESIRE AND HAPPINESS"
Norway invites healthcare chaplains from Finland,
Sweden, Denmark and Norway to The Nordic Healthcare Chaplaincy Conference
25-28 August 2004, to
be held in the
town Horten, at the west side of the Oslofjord. neasrby is the
little village åsgårdstrand home of the world famous Norwegian painter Edvard
Munch. [More]
[15 June 2004]
Top
To the Participants of the
“2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “BUILDING OF AN ICU INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM”
LIMITS OF THE MODERN MEDICINE COMMUNICATION AND CARE OF TERMINAL ICU
PATIENTS”
On behalf of the participants of the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy, allow me to greet your Conference.
In one of his homilies, St. John Chrysostom tells us that there are not
superior of inferior talents but only different talents, which are a gift of
the Holy Spirit. He encourages all to work together in harmony so that the
Body of Christ be glorified in unity.
Your Conference expresses this effort because it sees the need that we all
work together in tending to those we care for. This has always been deeply
rooted in your Orthodox Christian tradition. Among those who serve on your
team is the chaplain. His role is vital because of the spiritual care he
offers.
In conveying my wishes, I want you to know that you are not alone in your
efforts. The European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy which brings
together all the chaplaincies of Europe, working together as a team, is
supporting you in your efforts. Your Church’s participation in the Network
has been beneficial to us all.
May your deliberations be successful,
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
[12 June 2004]
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2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “BUILDING OF AN ICU INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM”
LIMITS OF THE MODERN MEDICINE COMMUNICATION AND CARE OF TERMINAL ICU
PATIENTS
Stara Zagora Bulgaria 23th-25th June 2004
The meaning of modern healthcare practice, including
high-tech intensive care medicine, is to cure physical trauma, injury and
pain, as well as social, psychological and spiritual problems and sufferings
of each patient and his family. The only one solution of this immediate task
of modern medicine is the building of an ICU interdisciplinary team, which
integrates efforts of many different healthcare providers: physicians,
nurses, social workers, psychologists, chaplains, volunteers.
Purposes of course:
-
To identify and address the physical, psychological,
spiritual and practical burdens of illness
-
To identify and address the limits of modern
medicine.To indicate the great importance of:
-
Effective management of pain and other distressing
symptoms, while incorporating psychosocial and spiritual care according to
patient and family needs, values, beliefs and culture.
-
Both patient and family must be prepared for the dying
process and for death, when it is anticipated.
Programme and Participants
More Information:
THRACIAN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL FACULTY
11, Armejska Street
6003 Stara Zagora
Tel: +359 42 2819 391
+359 888 937439
Fax: +359 42 600 705
E-mail: vuchkov@mbox.digsys.bg
Top
The Society for Intercultural Pastoral Care and
Counselling - SIPCC
announces the 17th International Seminar on Intercultural Pastoral Care and
Counselling taking place in Kecskemet, Hungary,5-10 September 2004:
Young People and the Experience of Violence-Implications for Pastoral
Care and Counselling
www.sipcc.org
[More]
[3 January 2004]
Top
Major Conference on Spiritual Care held by the Scottish Executive Health
Department
"A Seamless
Transition"
Around 200 people took part in a major conference on Spiritual Care
in Scotland under the title "A Seamless Transition" on 26th
November 2003. They came from a variety of backgrounds with many from
chaplaincy, management and clinical areas. The purpose was to chart progress
in the two years since the initial report which launched the Spiritual Care
Guidelines Process, and the year and a bit from the production of the
Scottish Executive Health Department Letter
HDL(2002)76 2002
“Spiritual Care in NHS Scotland”.
Read
a Report about the conference
A graphic artist was present. His cartoons illustrated
salient points and were soon adorning the walls. [
See Artwork ]
[12 December 2003]
Top
Network Coordinator writes to Conference of European Churches
November 12, 2003
Participants of
the Conference of European Churches (CEC)
on the Issues of Bioethics and Biotechnology
c/o Richard Fischer
Executive Secretary of The Commission of Church and Society
Strasbourg Office of the Conference of European Churches
Dear Dr. Fischer,
On behalf of the
participants of the European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy, which is
composed of representatives from all the Churches and chaplaincy
organizations of some 25 European countries, allow me to greet you upon the
embankment of your Conference on the Issues of Bioethics and Biotechnology.
It is
without question that the value of human life in this post-modern era is an
issue that we must all address. We who are chaplains and involved in the
area of pastoral health care are on the front line is dealing with this
issue. Within the healthcare settings patients, relatives and staff will
approach the chaplain in order to answer the crucial ethical questions
concerning their care. Facing these crucial questions, at the last our
Consultation held in Turku, Finland, the issue of bioethics was stated in
the newly adopted European Standards for Health Care Chaplaincy.
The Conference of
European Churches has been and remains to be a main point of reference for
ecumenical dialogue in Europe. Following its example, networks and
organizations like ours are motivated to work in breaking down the barriers
that separate us. It is our hope that your Conference will build one bridge
in the dialogue amongst the Churches of Europe, while at the same time
offering those of us who serve in the area of healthcare the resources
needed in answering the question posed in your theme.
With respect,
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of
Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
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New Chaplaincy
Guidance Documents
launched in London.
At a special meeting hosted in London by the Multi Faith Group for
Healthcare Chaplaincy on 5 November 2003 two important documents were
launched which will have far reaching effects on how healthcare chaplains
operate in England and Wales. Guidance about chaplaincy is given to health
authorities in NHS Chaplaincy: Meeting the Spiritual and Religious
needs of patients and staff, while training and development issues
are addressed in Caring for the Spirit: a strategy for the chaplaincy
and spiritual healthcare workforce.
More about these
documents on the MFGHC Website
[18 November 2003]
Top
Greetings to the
Network from the President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral
Care
Vatican City, 12 November 2003
Dear Rev. Dr. Stavros,
In reference to your letter of November 1, 2003, addressed to me and all the
participants at the XVIIIth International Conference of the Pontifical
Council for Health Pastoral Care, to be held in the Vatican on November
13-14-15, 2003, on the topic DEPRESSION, I would like to thank you for your
kind words of encouragement and prayers for the success of the Conference.
As you well know disease and suffering have no boundaries, they touch all
people irrespective of their faith, race or age. And as such, Health Care
Ministry brings together the combined efforts of both the civil, religious
and private sector, to be at the service of the human person and his life.
As Christians we cannot but strive and encourage each other to witness to
the call of Christ, and learn from his own example taking care of the Sick
and Suffering brothers and sisters.
Please convey my appreciation to all the participants in the European
Network of Health Care Chaplaincy.
Sincerely
+Javier Cardinal Lozano Barragán
President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care
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Gunilla Malmborg elected as Chairperson of
the Association of Health Care Chaplains in the Church of Sweden (SKAIS)
Deaconess Gunilla Malmborg has recently been elected
Chairperson of the Association of Health Care Chaplains in the Church of
Sweden (SKAIS). Replying to congratulations sent to her on behalf of
the Network by Coordinator Fr Stavros, Gunilla writes:
Dear Fr. Stavros Kofinas,
Thank you so much for your E-mails congratulating me on my election
as Chairperson of the Association of ther Health Care Chaplains in the
Church of Sweden. I apologize for not replying earlier.
I appreciate the detailed information you have given me about the
European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy, which I read with great
interest. Thank you for supplying addresses of the other members of the
Network Committee. When I have had time to settle in my new role, I will
feel more in a position to communicate with them on a regular basis.
Yours truly,
Gunilla Malmborg, deaconess
12 November 2003
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Norwegian
Healthcare Chaplains Conference
Rev Eirik Os, the Norwegian representation on the Network has written to
say that the Norwegian health care chaplains had their annual
conference in in the far North, in Tromsø in early November 2003. [Conference
Report by Jens Boge]
[8 December 2003]
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Coordinator writes to the President of the Pontifical Council for Health
Pastoral Care about ENHCC
November 1, 2003
Most Rev. Javier LOZANO B.
Archbishop Emeritus of Zacatecas
President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care,
Via della Conciliazione, 3 - 00120
Vatican City, Italy
Your Eminence,
Knowing the importance of your task as President of the Pontifical Council
for Health Pastoral Care and the role that the Pontifical Council plays in
the formation of Christian ministry throughout Europe and the world, this
letter is written to inform you of the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy, of which I serve as Coordinator.
Since 1990, European chaplains have been coming together every two years to
exchange their experiences in healthcare chaplaincy. Essentially, the ENHCC
was formed at the 6th Consultation that took place at the Orthodox Academy
of Crete in November of 2000. Based on the “Cretan Declaration”, the Network
is the largest body composed of official representatives from all the
Christian denominations and chaplaincy organizations of Europe, which
provide pastoral care in various health care facilities. The Network aims at
mutual sharing and understanding both on a religious, cultural and
organizational level. It brings together the various chaplaincy experiences
of all the health care systems in Europe.
The last Consultation took place in Turku, Finland in June of 2002. At this
historic meeting, 40 official representatives from 21 European countries
adopted the European Standards for Health Care Chaplaincy. These Standards
state that chaplaincy provides pastoral services in a variety of health care
settings, ministering to the existential, spiritual and religious needs of
those who suffer and those who care for them. The Standards describe the
organization and development of chaplaincy services, the area and activity
of chaplains, their education, formation and supervision. There is an
emphasis on how Faiths and chaplaincy services can be a vital resource in
theological, pastoral, and ethical matters. Special focus is given to the
areas of integrated spiritual development and bioethics.
The Network’s web page (www.eurochaplains.org) has a full description of all
the countries, faiths, and organizations, the two past consultations held in
Crete and Finland, and the European Standards for Health Care Chaplaincy.
As you will notice on the Contact page, twelve Roman Catholic Chaplaincy
Organizations have attended previous consultations of the ENHCC. In addition
to these organizations, the Roman Catholic Church is also involved in many
European national ecumenical associations that deal with pastoral health
care.
The participation of the Roman Catholic Church in the European Network of
Health Care Chaplaincy is very valuable. Your experience in the area of
pastoral health care has provided a source of comfort for many, not only in
Europe but also throughout the world.
I am sure that you will agree that we must all work together in this vital
area of concern, learning from each other so that the care we offer will be
improved. Because of this, it would be very beneficial if your office and
the Network established a line of direct communication so that we can share
thoughts and avenues in providing a closer working relationship with all the
Chaplaincies of Europe.
In viewing your web site, I noticed that your International Conference will
be taking place in Rome this coming November. In a first step in
establishing communication between your Committee and the ENHCC, I am
sending a greeting to the participants of your Conference. Perhaps this
could be read at your Conference.
Further steps could be putting each other as links on our respective web
sites and including your events on our news page.
As the world gets smaller, it is important that we work together for the
glory of God. With a firm hope that in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, on
behalf of all the participants of the ENHCC, I hope in your favorable
response to the European Network.
With my personal respect and our common love in our Lord,
Fr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
Address:
Lycias 3
171 24 Nea Smyrni
Greece
Email: kofinas@otenet.gr
Phones:
+30- 6944 573625 Fax: +30-210-9374217
Network Comm
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