Female Chaplain?

[Phemie]

I think that the OP was asking about being a military chaplain in the U.S. armed forces. The Department of Defense requirements are quite specific. An ecclesiastical endorsement from the person’s faith community is required. You have to have two years of religious leadership experience. You have to be clergy in your religion. I cannot imagine a woman meeting any of those requirements to be a Catholic chaplain.

That’s for the US. The Canadian Military has lay people as 'Catholic Chaplains" and some are women.

 

[GwenL]

That’s for the US. The Canadian Military has lay people as 'Catholic Chaplains" and some are women.

I’m sure you are correct about Canada. However, I do believe that the OP’s question was about the U.S. Army, and whether it was possible to be a female Catholic chaplain in that army. Note how the poster asked about the “Army” and noted the post grad requirement, which our Department of Defense mandates.

Canada hasn’t had an “army” since 1968 (nor air force, navy, etc.) when they merged into the Canadian Forces. So I assumed that if a person was asking about Canadian chaplain opportunities, they’d have asked “can one be a female Catholic chaplain in the Canadian Forces?”

 

[BobbiKay]

This has been a somewhat confusing thread. I am a convert to the Catholic church, but before my conversion I was a pastor in a liturgical denomination. So I have a BA in religion, and an M.Div degree with addtional CPE. I have worked as a non denominational chaplain role in a state correctional facility. I have 15 years of experience in this work and it is NOT a job, it is a calling. When budget cuts came to my state, I continued my part time chaplain position for no pay. I worked with all faith groups, I got supplies for Native Americans, and got religious materials and services for both Catholic and Jewish inmates. What will the Catholic church do with my God given gifts and abilities? I know as a Catholic I cannot be ordained, I do not seek to be a priest or priestess, I do not seek to administer priestly sacraments. Can I be called a “pastoral minister” in a congregation assigned to do prison ministry, or by the Diocese? The state demands some kind of title or endorsement (we have our rules) So what will the church do with me and what in the world will they call me. But God has called me to this ministry…what are you gonna do with me, and what will you call me…whatever…just let me do my job (still without pay). Would it help if I became a member of a Third order? I am sorry for any poster who has had a negative experience with female chaplains.

BK

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

This has been a somewhat confusing thread. I am a convert to the Catholic church, but before my conversion I was a pastor in a liturgical denomination. So I have a BA in religion, and an M.Div degree with addtional CPE. I have worked as a non denominational chaplain role in a state correctional facility. I have 15 years of experience in this work and it is NOT a job, it is a calling. When budget cuts came to my state, I continued my part time chaplain position for no pay. I worked with all faith groups, I got supplies for Native Americans, and got religious materials and services for both Catholic and Jewish inmates. What will the Catholic church do with my God given gifts and abilities? I know as a Catholic I cannot be ordained, I do not seek to be a priest or priestess, I do not seek to administer priestly sacraments. Can I be called a “pastoral minister” in a congregation assigned to do prison ministry, or by the Diocese? The state demands some kind of title or endorsement (we have our rules) So what will the church do with me and what in the world will they call me. But God has called me to this ministry…what are you gonna do with me, and what will you call me…whatever…just let me do my job (still without pay). Would it help if I became a member of a Third order? I am sorry for any poster who has had a negative experience with female chaplains.

BK

You could find work somewhere that your job title might be Chaplain, most likely at a non-Catholic institution.

The Catholic Church can not recognize you as a chaplain but they might view you as an assistant. A Catholic Chaplain must be a priest because he is expected to be able to offer the Sacraments that only a priest (or bishop) can do. Anointing of the Sick and Confession.

 

[Joannm]

You could find work somewhere that your job title might be Chaplain, most likely at a non-Catholic institution.

The Catholic Church can not recognize you as a chaplain but they might view you as an assistant. A Catholic Chaplain must be a priest because he is expected to be able to offer the Sacraments that only a priest (or bishop) can do. Anointing of the Sick and Confession.

There is an Association of Catholic Chaplains that have many lay members. My husband is a chaplain (also an ordained deacon) but all those who work with him are sisters or lay people. He worked for a Catholic hospital and now for a Catholic hospice service. The priests are only called upon when confession or anointing is needed, otherwise the lay chaplains (which is what they are called at both facilities) are used to visit patients, sit with families as their loved one is dying, minister to the facility staff, conduct prayer services, etc. My pastor was in one of the hospitals for surgery and said he saw more of the lay chaplains than he did the priests. In fact he said the priests would rush though the floors early in the morning and then you wouldn’t see them again until the next day, while the lay chaplains are there on constant call. Perhaps they are not supposed to be called chaplains but they sure do act in that capacity, except for administering the sacraments. The priest chaplains don’t offer much pastoral care, at least in the places where my husband has worked.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

There is an Association of Catholic Chaplains that have many lay members. My husband is a chaplain (also an ordained deacon) but all those who work with him are sisters or lay people. He worked for a Catholic hospital and now for a Catholic hospice service. The priests are only called upon when confession or anointing is needed, otherwise the lay chaplains (which is what they are called at both facilities) are used to visit patients, sit with families as their loved one is dying, minister to the facility staff, conduct prayer services, etc. My pastor was in one of the hospitals for surgery and said he saw more of the lay chaplains than he did the priests. In fact he said the priests would rush though the floors early in the morning and then you wouldn’t see them again until the next day, while the lay chaplains are there on constant call. Perhaps they are not supposed to be called chaplains but they sure do act in that capacity, except for administering the sacraments. The priest chaplains don’t offer much pastoral care, at least in the places where my husband has worked.

I am sorry but a Catholic group/institution calling a non-priest a chaplain is in violation of the Code of Canon Law.

I am sure it is in this thread somewhere but I will post it again.

Can. 564 A chaplain is a priest to whom is entrusted in a stable manner the pastoral care, at least in part, of some community or special group of Christ’s faithful, to be exercised in accordance with universal and particular law.

I admit and maybe the Church needs to look at this and amend Canon Law or work with these groups on another title but as it is, only a priest may be a Catholic Chaplain.

 

[Cowfold]

Can a female be a Catholic chaplain? Not as a priest (obviously) but as a pastoral worker with a degree in theology plus the Army’s required post-grad?

What is this US obsession with degrees! Believe me, in UK we see it as a distinct disadvantage in the religious life.

 

[Ocarm]

What is this US obsession with degrees! Believe me, in UK we see it as a distinct disadvantage in the religious life.

Really? 75% of the UK religious I know have degrees. I’ve never heard it described as a disadvantage.

 

[Cowfold]

Really? 75% of the UK religious I know have degrees. I’ve never heard it described as a disadvantage.

Are we going to argue about semantics and that which might pass as a degree nowadays.
Was the faculty an ex poly etc.

 

[BobbiKay]

What happens a lot in healthcare, for example, today is that a primary intervention “chaplain” is available to offer spiritual services. Often, priests just are not available for such critical work. If there is a strong desire or need for a patient to be ministered directly by a priest (especially if there is a sacramental need), then that "chaplain " can and will call for one.

This really isn’t much different than how someone might go to a trained lay man or religious for spiritual direction, but must see the priest for confession (though, obviously, a priest who is offering spiritual direction can also offer a greater fullness in ministry.)

In fact, the experienced and well trained chaplain who is not a priest might, likewise, actually be better at what they do.

I don’t see any point in arguing about specific terminology here. No one is suggesting that the non priest “chaplain” is something which they are not. A simple recognition of the reality and value of what they are is all that is being asked.

Funny you should say that…my Priest says that I am better trained in Pastoral care skills than he is. I am not seeking to replace him but supplement his services (which I know I cannot provide). BK

 

[BobbiKay]

I think I have a true story that will serve as an example of why female or unordained
men for that matter, simply cannot fulfill all the requirements of what is meant by a “Catholic Chaplain”. I live in a small town in Brazil. We have 2 Priests & no Religious Sisters here. About a year ago, both Priests decided they were “not paid enough” to do
anything beyond offering Mass. Now the previous Pastor used to be alone & he did manage very well in hospital visitation…Well, they now have a Sister who drives over from another town to take care of the sick. But the sick want someone to hear their Confessions & give them the Anoiting of the Sick! Too bad, she cant do it! It does stand to
reason that anyone can visit the sick & any Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist
can bring Holy Communion. Sister need not even bother driving over from another town.
The hospital staff tell me it’s truly a farce!
So if someone is willing to just talk about the Faith, visit the sick, & sometimes bring
Communion, that is not being a Chaplain. Those things fall pretty much under the Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy. Payment for such services come only in Heaven!
But the sick & dying stand in dire need of Confession & the Anointing of the Sick, that is
the real point at issue!

Well no doubt this will make some people mad…but here goes…there is more to being a Chaplain than the delivery of sacraments. The ministry of presence is not everyone’s gift. A Eucharistic minister might …or might not have the skills to chaplain or whatever term you want to use. It really is NOT something everyone can do…it is a gift and a calling. BK

 

[BobbiKay]

There is an Association of Catholic Chaplains that have many lay members. My husband is a chaplain (also an ordained deacon) but all those who work with him are sisters or lay people. He worked for a Catholic hospital and now for a Catholic hospice service. The priests are only called upon when confession or anointing is needed, otherwise the lay chaplains (which is what they are called at both facilities) are used to visit patients, sit with families as their loved one is dying, minister to the facility staff, conduct prayer services, etc. My pastor was in one of the hospitals for surgery and said he saw more of the lay chaplains than he did the priests. In fact he said the priests would rush though the floors early in the morning and then you wouldn’t see them again until the next day, while the lay chaplains are there on constant call. Perhaps they are not supposed to be called chaplains but they sure do act in that capacity, except for administering the sacraments. The priest chaplains don’t offer much pastoral care, at least in the places where my husband has worked.

My Priest says he does not have time to provide pastoral care - there are not enough priests - someone needs to do the work. BK

 

[BobbiKay]

So, just to play devil’s advocate, if a lay person or religious helping out at a parish were called “Assistant Pastor” would you object?

I suppose the real conundrum is this: What to do when you don’t have an available priest for the job of “chaplain?” Someone still has to serve the role of providing leadership and ministry. By what title ought they be referred if they are, indeed, the person in whom authority and responsibility rests? And what do you tell the person who is requesting the “chaplain” when there is no priest who holds such a formal job on staff?

I asked this before but did not get an answer. Are there not people in parishes who serve as pastoral ministers…what’s wrong with calling me that if I do chaplaincy type of work, but not the sacraments?? BK

 

[BobbiKay]

What is this US obsession with degrees! Believe me, in UK we see it as a distinct disadvantage in the religious life.

In the US degrees are very important, esp for government jobs. They will hire the degree before competence. Sad but true.

 

[verity2]

Aren’t you so fortunate in the United States to have so many qualified people! You don’t know how we in South Africa have to battle along with so few qualified people that our lives have become a huge struggle with incompetence, corruption and ignorant mistakes such as throwing a bolt into one nuclear generator out of two in the country, which then had to be replaced by France.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with a female in the role of chaplain for a temporary or specified period.
from: verity2

 

[joandarc2008]

I apologise for being unclear…I was referring specifically to Catholics serving in the US military as chaplains being priests. For the Australian military, the (Catholic) bishop of the diocese will give ‘approval’ (not sure of the exact word) for (Catholic) women to serve as chaplains. So there are Catholic women serving as Catholic chaplains in the Australian military. I would guess that the actual title is outside of the control of the church or they would be called something different since that directive came from Rome.

Hello Freddo - I am halfway through my Chaplain’s Assistant Training in the US Army. Females can be Chaplain’s Assistants. Currently in real life I am discerning lay ministry as I am a reservist. Other thread. I am looking to back for a master’s degree and receive special training for that. However, a part of the Chaplaincy is to give Sacraments. I would feel cheated as asoldier if they put a Catholic Chaplain out there that could not give sacraments. I know on my last deployment we had a Baptist and the Catholic Chaplain came once a week and sometimes risked his life to give Eucharist and Reconciliation. I don’t even remember his name but there is a special place in Heaven for that man. Women simply cannot be priests. Apostolic succesion does not support it - maybe deaconnesses as the days of old but never priests.

 

[joandarc2008]

I asked this before but did not get an answer. Are there not people in parishes who serve as pastoral ministers…what’s wrong with calling me that if I do chaplaincy type of work, but not the sacraments?? BK

Here is your answer - the work you described- is exactly what a Chaplain’s Assistant does - especially in the military. They also order supplies, track paperwork, etc. The other main job they have in the military that is different then the other tracks is that the Chaplain’s Assistant provides physical security for the Chaplain as not all Chaplains carry weapons. Some will some won’t. Some are conscientous objectors. So there is noting wrong with providing pastoral care from the lay ministry as long as you have the training to do it. There is something wrong with calling yourself a Chaplain and not a Chaplain’s ASsistant.