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Spiritual Care at the Crossroads: An Ecumenical White Paper on the Future of Christian Healthcare Chaplaincy

  • Simon Peng-Keller* (Corresponding Author)
  • , Michael Balboni
  • , Tracy Balboni
  • , Annette Haussmann
  • , Trace Haythorn
  • , Pascal Mösli
  • , David Neuhold
  • , Daniel R. Nuzum
  • , Wim Smeets
  • , Chris Swift
  • , John Swinton
  • , Traugott Roser
  • , Anne Vandenhoeck
  • , Fabian Winiger
    • *Corresponding author for this work
  • University of Zurich
  • Harvard University
  • Heidelberg University 
  • Chaplaincy Innovation Lab
  • University of Lucerne
  • University College Cork
  • Cork University Hospitals Group
  • Radboud University Nijmegen
  • Staffordshire University
  • University of Münster
  • KU Leuven

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4   Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This ecumenical White Paper aims to clarify the profile of Christian healthcare chaplaincy in a context of rapidly changing healthcare systems. The increasing complexity and specialization of healthcare, the shift towards outpatient care, mounting economic pressures, the demographic and epidemiological transitions towards chronic and elderly care, and global health crises are profoundly transforming and challenging Christian healthcare chaplaincy. At the same time, the societal context of healthcare chaplaincy is also changing rapidly. While church resources and influence are declining, spiritual and religious diversification is on the rise. This paper engages with this rapid change as a moment of opportunity. It addresses the role of Christian healthcare chaplains in a time of change and clarifies their theological basis, their professional competencies, and the future of their education and training.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1031-1046
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Religion and Health
Volume64
Early online date25 Feb 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2025

Bibliographical note

In this article, the affiliation details for Author Fabian Winiger were incorrectly given as “Faculty of Theology, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland” but should have been ‘Faculty of Theology and the Study of Religion, University of Zurich, Kirchgasse 9, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland’. The original article has been corrected.

Funding

Open access funding provided by University of Zurich. This White Paper was supported by the University of Zurich.

Funders
University of Zurich

    Keywords

    • Chaplaincy education and training
    • Professionalization
    • Specialized spiritual care
    • Spiritual care competencies
    • Spiritual diversification

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    • Peng-Keller_etal_JRH_Spiritual_Care_At_VoR

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