Pastoral and spiritual care

Chaplains are faith-based practitioners appointed to the University for the purpose of providing pastoral care to staff and students. Pastoral care is a process of supporting people through difficult times or in moments of anxiety, uncertainty, or questioning. It involves providing a safe and confidential space in which people can ask questions, express thoughts and feelings, or just engage in conversation. Chaplains providing pastoral care try to help people sustain their spiritual, emotional, and existential well-being by listening carefully, being an empathetic and compassionate sounding board, providing a supportive presence, and, if necessary, by being a point of referral to more specialised forms of care.

All chaplains operating in the University have been vetted and approved by the Council for Chaplains in Tertiary Institutions (CCTI). All chaplains are accredited by their respective faith communities as persons who are in good standing within that community, and all have current Working With Children and Police Records Checks. Chaplains can also hold degrees and diplomas in fields such as Theology, Pastoral Care, Counselling, Clinical Pastoral Care, and Chaplaincy (as well as other tertiary degrees and awards), and also have extensive experience providing pastoral care in community, institutional and educational settings.

No. Counselling and therapy are specific forms of care and support delivered by appropriately qualified practitioners and may deal with specific issues relating to a person’s mental health or wellbeing. However, chaplains can complement the work of counsellors and therapists by providing pastoral care to people accessing counselling or therapy services – for example, by providing a safe space in which to “debrief” and discuss the experience of counselling/therapy.

No. You can talk to a chaplain for any reason. Chaplains fill a gap between formal counselling or therapy and a person’s normal support networks (eg: family and friends). For example, you might have something on your mind that you don’t want to discuss with family or friends just yet, but for which you need someone who will listen to you and help you clarify what it is you want to communicate to others. Chaplains can be your conversation partners in this and other similar situations.

Yes. And if the chaplain can’t assist you, they might refer you to a colleague who can, to someone else within the University’s wider wellbeing support network, or to some other avenue of support or response.

No. Chaplains are available for all students and staff at the University, regardless of religious views, beliefs, or affiliations. Of course, if you are curious or have questions about faith, are looking for a perspective about an issue that might be informed by a faith tradition, or if you want information about places of worship, chaplains can help you.

Yes. A chaplain will not divulge any information about your conversation, or any details about you, without your express consent. The only exception is if you disclose anything which leads a chaplain to believe you are in danger of harming yourself or others, or which concerns a matter they are obliged by law to disclose to the relevant authorities.

No. Chaplains are not there to “push” their respective faiths. They are appointed to provide pastoral care to staff and students. Chaplains may provide responses to questions or provide perspectives on issues that are informed by their faith traditions – but those responses and perspectives are geared toward supporting your wellbeing, not “recruiting” you to their faith community. Of course, if you have questions about being a member of a faith community or where to find religious services, chaplains can be of assistance to you.

All chaplains are bound by University policies supporting the diversity and safety of the staff and student communities. Individual chaplains may choose to identify themselves as queer affirming in order to assist LGBTQIA+ students and staff who are seeking chaplaincy support.

Yes. Cults target people they think are vulnerable to recruitment, and often masquerade as, or mimic some of the same features of, a genuine faith community. However, genuine faith communities within the University are usually found on student club directories and will openly identify themselves when talking to students or staff. If you are invited to join a group and you’re not sure who they are, chaplains can help you work out if it’s a real faith group or a cult trying to recruit you. Even if you’re not interested in joining a faith community, letting the chaplains know you have been approached helps us monitor the activities of cults and similar groups.