Toward the Concept of 'Spiritist Chaplaincy'

J Relig Health. 2015 Aug;54(4):1460-9. doi: 10.1007/s10943-015-0011-z.

Abstract

In Brazil, Spiritism is the third most common religious affiliation. Notwithstanding, there are few religious assistance programs dedicated to Spiritist patients in Brazilian general hospitals and, after searching for the term 'Spiritist Chaplaincy' on lay and medical databases, it returns zero results. This article describes the future development of a 'Spiritist Chaplaincy,' exploring its concept, design, precepts, and challenges, based upon the first results of a Spiritist religious assistance program for hospitalized patients. This proposed model seems feasible to be replicated, aiming to develop in the near future a structure compatible with a proper 'Spiritist Chaplaincy' instead of religious hospital visits.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Clergy*
  • Hospitals, General
  • Humans
  • Religion and Medicine*
  • Spiritualism*