Chaplaincy Support to Bereaved Parents - Part 2: Balancing Options, Openness and Authoritative Action. (4th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Newitt, Mark
• Is Part Of: Health and social care chaplaincy. Volume 3:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2015-06-04
• Subjects: koinonia -- communitas -- liminality -- pregnancy loss -- openness -- chaplaincy -- performative utterances -- religious care -- spiritual care -- words against death; Chaplains, Hospital -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Pastoral care -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Patients -- Religious life -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 259.411094105
• DOI: 10.1558/hscc.v3i1.20543
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-5553

Abstract

Abstract : The second of two articles, this installment reflects on the way bereaved parents valued the support of a chaplaincy following the death of their baby. The article describes how some parents wanted options and others "authoritative action" and notes that co-creation of ritual is not always appropriate. Chaplains are described as authoritative in both religious matters concerning the eternal destiny of babies and spiritual matters of identity. The notion of a sharp divide between religious and spiritual care is questioned. A lack of clarity among chaplains as to their role is connected to the contradictory tensions of a society that has rejected religious authority and yet of parents wanting authoritative statements/recognition. Anthropological insights concerning ritual are drawn upon to help understand the chaplain's identity. It is recommended chaplaincy support be written into guidelines/protocols for the care of bereaved parents. Chaplains are encouraged to learn more about transferential or intersubjective responses.