Archbishop of Canterbury supports ‘Charting Chaplaincy in Action’

The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken in support of a major national conference on chaplaincy and public life that will take place at York St John University on 10 September 2012. 

Dr Williams described the work of chaplains as indispensable to a society that tries to keep the spiritual in a 'Churchy box'.  The Archbishop also emphasised his gratitude to those who often find themselves ministering 'at the sharp end of some harsh life experiences'.

The 'Charting Chaplaincy in Action' conference will be led by York St John University professor of educational research, Jean McNiff, who is an international authority on action research.  Keynote speakers, panels and workshops will draw together chaplains from many settings including the military, healthcare, education, the prison service and retail. The conference aims to chart the kinships of chaplaincy across these areas to create a research and education agenda that will take chaplaincy forwards.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Williams, said: “I am delighted to be able to commend this conference on ‘Charting Chaplaincy in Action’.  Chaplains, whether in the armed forces, healthcare, education, prison, retail centres or in a wide range of other contexts, personify a ministry that reaches out and often find themselves at the sharp end of some harsh life experiences. This ministry vitally enhances the Church’s awareness of society and of the lives of individuals, and it is indispensable to a society which all too often tries to keep the spiritual in a Churchy box.  I am deeply grateful to all who exercise these, often costly, ministries.”

The 'Charting Chaplaincy in Action' conference will take place at York St John University on 10 September 2012, from 10am until 4pm.