ENHCC
European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy
 |
Health Care Chaplaincy in the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Orthodox Church) |
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has been the centre of
Christianity throughout the history of the Eastern Church and Hellenism,
from the time of the First Ecumenical Synod (325 AD) down to the third
millennium. It is the "First See" among the earliest Patriarchates of
Eastern Christendom and the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches. Under the
leadership of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, its immediate
Patriarchal jurisdiction is around Constantinople and Asia Minor, but in
essence, it does not have geographical boundaries. This makes its
character truly ecumenical in nature. Within the realm of Europe, subject
to the Patriarchate are the Churches of Great Britain (including Ireland
and Malta), France and the Iberian Peninsula, Germany, Austria and
Hungary, Scandinavia, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Northern Greece, the
Southern Greek Islands and Crete.
(See: www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/metropolises/ )
Throughout its history, the Church of Constantinople was intertwined with
the care of the sick and health care chaplaincy. In Byzantium, the Church
established many hospitals and hostels that facilitated the needs of those
who were suffering. After the fall of the Eastern Christian Empire, the
role of the Patriarchate became more vital in meeting the demands for
philanthropic health care. Orthodox Christians played a major role in the
Ottoman Empire, establishing hospitals and parish centred health services.
Today, this long tradition remains alive. Within the modern city of
Istanbul, the Ecumenical Patriarchate oversees the Baloukli General
Hospital, which also includes a psychiatric hospital and a home for the
aged. In countries that are dominated by an Orthodox populace, each
Metropolis offers many services, ranging from homes for the aged to home
care services. Clergymen work closely with the laymen in managing all of
these services. In Greece, where the populous is mostly Orthodox, the
majority of the hospitals are operated by the State. An assigned priest
serves these hospitals. In many cases, these priests serve as full time
chaplains paid by the State. In the jurisdictions of the diaspora (those
which are outside of the realm of Constantinople, Asia Minor and Greece)
the residing Orthodox Christians are a minority. Because of this, the
local parish priest, who heads a very close-knitted community, offers
pastoral health care to the Orthodox Christians in need. (See: www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/philanthropiccenters/modern/) In many
Metropolises of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, there is a clergyman
specifically assigned to coordinating pastoral healthcare. (See: www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/metropolises/ )
The majority of the priests who serve the sick have received some type of
pastoral education within their theological training. Presently, there are
no specific formal qualifications or standards for those who administer to
the sick. The priests who serve hospitals and other healthcare facilities
are chosen according to their spiritual competence and discretion. Many of
them have created a sound and well rounded tradition of pastoral health
care worthy of high appraisal. The parish priests are expected to have,
and, in most cases, do have a high sense of pastoral consciousness. (See: www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/pastoraled/)
With the firm conviction and commitment which characterizes his pastoral
identity, His All-Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I has
taken the initiative to form a “network” for Pastoral Health Care of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate. Such a network will give the opportunity to all
who minister to the sick to benefit from sharing their knowledge and
experience and to improve their training. Together with this, the network
will contribute to the further development of ministering to the sick with
high quality pastoral care. (See: www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/)
In order for our Church to continue providing high quality pastoral care
to the suffering, it is necessary that all those who are involved in
caring for the ill to unite their efforts and pastoral concerns, to become
more aware of the dynamics, developments and prospects of health care and
to improve the spiritual care they offer. The rapid progress in medical
science, the increasing concern in the spiritual dimension of illness and
the need to cooperate with other faiths and health organizations on a
world-wide multidisciplinary level makes this need even more essential.
Realizing this necessity, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Throne decided
to hold the first “International Conference on Pastoral Health Care of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate”. It will be held in Rhodes between the 8th and
12th of October 2008. Representatives from all the Metropolises throughout
the world that belong to the Ecumenical Patriarchate will attend (clergy,
doctors and others that serve in the sensitive area of health care),
together with representatives from the Churches of Greece, Cyprus,
Albania, representatives from other denominations and other health care
providers. (See: www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/conferences/)
The Ecumenical Patriarchate has major concerns for:
1) A clearer understanding of Orthodox theology in relation to pastoral
health care
2) A more systematic account of the pastoral care offered in hospitals and
health care facilities
3) The relationship between psychological and spiritual health
4) The formation a dialogue of chaplains and pastoral caretakers with
other health care professionals
Efforts are also being made to form a closer working relationship with
chaplains of other Faiths and denominations, especially in the areas of
Europe where Orthodox are a minority. Health care chaplaincy is on the
agenda of the Orthodox-Muslim dialogue which is underway.
Representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the 8th Consultation of the
European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy is Fr Stavros Kofinas who heads the efforts of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in coordinating
pastoral health care on a European and international level. He is a priest
(protopresbyter) and a practicing psychotherapist with a wide experience
in the area of health care chaplaincy. After his studies in theology,
clinical psychology and pastoral psychiatric care, he served for many
years as a chaplain in a general hospital in Athens. He has organized and
taken part in many educational seminars and training programs for clergy,
doctors, nurses and social workers. Presently Fr Kofinas is the celebrant
at the Monastery of St Meletios of Kitherona. He established and
supervised the clergy of the pastoral program for the Hospital of Elefsis,
serves as a supervising consultant for the Counselling Program of the
Metropolis of Peristeri, and is very active in the area of psychotherapy.
He first attended the European Consultation of Hospital Chaplaincy, which
took place in Rome. On behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarch, he headed the
organization of the 6th Consultation, which took place in Crete, and took
part in the organisational committee for the 7th Consultation in Finland,
where he was elected as Coordinator of the ENHCC. . He was re-elected
Coordinator at the 8th Consultation in Dublin in 2004 for four years.
Contact information:
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the Conference for
Pastoral Health Care of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate
Address:
Lycias 3
171 24 Nea Smyrni
Greece
Phone: +30-6944 57 3625
Fax: +30 – 210 93 74 217
Email: info@epphc.com
Website: www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/
[May 2008]