Denominational Ministry in a Changing Society

A Phenomenological Study of the Attitudes and Beliefs of Hospital Chaplains in Northern Ireland

Authors

  • Paul McCloskey South Eastern Heath and Social Care Trust
  • Peter Kevern Staffordshire University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.32479

Keywords:

Attitudes, chaplaincy, denominational, Northern Ireland, professionalization

Abstract

The recent history of Northern Ireland society is one in which denominationally-defined communities have been losing identity in favour of more fluid, diverse and secular forms of social interaction. The practice of hospital chaplaincy reflects this social transition: it is faced with the challenge of redefining itself in non-sectarian ways, as expressed in the migration of hospital chaplaincy from a denominationally-based to person-centred model of care. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with a representative sample of chaplains working in Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland (NI). Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) ten key themes were identified that fell into three areas: training for chaplaincy, the delivery of chaplaincy and the relationship between chaplains and the institutions of church and hospital. The themes shed new light on how chaplains are negotiating this transition from a denominational to a post-denominational context; and the tensions and pitfalls they encounter.

Author Biographies

  • Paul McCloskey, South Eastern Heath and Social Care Trust

    Paul McCloskey is the Bereavement Coordinator for the South Eastern Heath and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland.

  • Peter Kevern, Staffordshire University

    Peter Kevern is Associate Professor in Values in Care, School of Health and Social Care, Staffordshire University, UK.

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Published

2018-12-24

How to Cite

McCloskey, P., & Kevern, P. (2018). Denominational Ministry in a Changing Society: A Phenomenological Study of the Attitudes and Beliefs of Hospital Chaplains in Northern Ireland. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 6(1), 46-61. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.32479