Institutions that seek chaplains seek them of all denominations so one does not need to be a priest for such positions in the job market. In the Catholic Church the title Chaplain is given to a priest in charge of the spiriual care of an institution. If a deacon or lay person has the education, training or whatever the employer demands for the position of chaplain in their institution there is nothing to prevent a Catholic from accepting that position and title in that institution. There are many women religious holding the position of chaplain in healthcare. Technically in the eyes of the Church they are “lay ecclesial health care ministers” but The NACC (The Catholic certifying body in union with the bishops) will issue the certificate as “chaplain” for
the sake of “the profession” for the hiring institution.
Use of Title ‘Chaplain’ in Pastoral Care Ministry
By Bishop Dale J. Melczek
Episcopal Liaison to NACC
For many years, the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops and the NACC have attempted to
resolve a dilemma regarding the title “chaplain.” In
the United States, hiring institutions (health care, prison,
and other specialized ministries) will only employ “chaplains”
for spiritual care services who are board-certified
and hold this professional credential. However, Canon
Law (Canons 564-572) restricts the title “chaplain” to
ordained priests.
In 1997, several Congregations of the Holy See issued
an Instruction, “On Certain Questions
Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-
Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of
Priests.” This Instruction was given approval
by Pope John Paul II and reiterated that it is
not permitted for non-ordained faithful to
assume the title of “chaplain.”We attempted
to gain an exception in the United States but
were unsuccessful.
The witness and ministry of Catholic
women religious and lay faithful, who have
met standards approved by the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops through its
Commission on Certification and
Accreditation and who have been endorsed by
their own local bishop, are essential to the
Church’s outreach to the sick and dying in our
hospitals and long-term facilities.
They are also essential representatives of
the Church in most institutions today for
maintaining a Catholic presence, for assuring
adherence to the “Ethical and Religious Guidelines,” and
for providing direction and comfort to physicians, staff,
and family members of the sick and dying.
With a great deal of effort, we have found a way to be
faithful to the letter and spirit of Canon Law and the
1997 Instruction and, at the same time, assure the continued
ministry of competent, certified religious and lay
health care ministers in institutions throughout the country.
We will do this by separating out “endorsement for
ministry” from the “certification by the profession.”
The NACC will continue to submit the NACC standards
for periodic review by the Bishops’ Commission on
Certification and Accreditation and prepare an annual
report to the Bishops’ Commission.We will continue to
request the endorsement from the local Ordinary or his
delegate for those who are to be certified or recertified.
However, we will request endorsement for “lay ecclesial
health care ministry” rather than for “chaplain.”
Should the local Ordinary choose to commission those
who are certified or recertified by the NACC, they will
likely commission the individual who is a religious sister,
brother, or lay person as “lay ecclesial health care minister.”
The NACC will issue the certificate as “chaplain” for
the sake of “the profession” for the hiring institution.
This distinction enables us to be faithful to Canon Law
as we will use the title “lay ecclesial health care minister”
in ecclesial settings. It will also meet the requirements of
institutions that employ and provide compensation only
for those certified as “chaplains.”
Most important, the sick and the dying in our hospitals
and long-term facilities continue to benefit from the compassionate
and competent care of the 3,300 members of
the NACC who have met standards approved by the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and who
are official representatives endorsed by the local Bishop.
http://www.nacc.org/resources/page6.pdf
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