What Happened to Chaplains During the Pandemic? An International Perspective

In June 2020 over 1,500 chaplains from 36 countries responded to a survey, conducted by researchers from ERICH, about changes in their spiritual care as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The chaplains reported considerable disruption to their usual practice, with enforced social distancing having the biggest impact.

They embraced technology to maintain contact with patients and families, and shifted the focus of their support to staff. While some chaplains were viewed as essential employees by their organizations, most were not. Despite the majority thinking that their organizations understood what they did, chaplains themselves were neither clear nor unclear about their role during and post pandemic. More surprisingly, they felt similarly unclear about their role before the pandemic.

This presentation will summarize key findings from the study and conclude with some provocative questions for all chaplains. The complete findings of the survey are forthcoming in a special issue of the Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling.

Sponsored by Transforming Chaplaincy and Co-sponsored by Chaplaincy Innovation Lab (CIL) & European Research Institute for Chaplaincy in Healthcare (ERICH)

Presenters:
Austyn Snowden, PhD, Lead Researcher, ERICH, Professor and Chair in Mental Health at Edinburgh Napier University.
Anne Vandenhoeck, PhD, Director ERICH, Professor of Pastoral Care and Diaconal Studies at the faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven.

Respondent:
Rev. Jon A. Overvold, MDiv, BCC, President, Board of Directors, Association of Professional Chaplains and Manager of Pastoral Care and Education, New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York City

Moderator:
Trace Haythorn, PhD, Executive Director/CEO, ACPE The Standards for Spiritual Care & Education