Here we share some of the key contemporary context in Australia around the provision of compassionate care across communities and institutions. Some highlight well-needed progress and social change that has been made, while others highlight the ongoing need for significant advocacy and change needed for appropriate care to be broadened and more fairly meet the needs of the diverse Australian population, religious or non-religious.

Education

‘Chaplains told to promote Christian theology in schools’ (Latika Bourke, ABC News)

‘Religious chaplains can create ‘safe place’ for LGBTIQ students, says education department’ (Rationalist Society of Australia)

‘National School Chaplaincy Program report backs name change, choice of wellbeing officers’ (Stephanie Borys, ABC News)

‘Shifting from chaplains to secular student welfare officers can be divisive. Here’s how schools can manage the risks’ (Allan Dale, The Conversation)

Defence

‘How religion dominates the ADF’ (Amy Fallon, The Saturday Paper)

You can read more about HA’s stance and support for former Director-General of Navy Chaplaincy and former HA Board Director, Collin Acton’s call for change for an adequately balanced pastoral support system in the Australian Defence Forces.

UK context ‘Armed forces to recruit first non-religious pastoral officers’ (Humanists UK)

Healthcare

‘Non-Christian chaplains want better access to patients at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce’ (Steve Evans, The Canberra Times)

“Humanist Chaplains, who do not believe in any God, say that Calvary has erected unnecessary barriers when they have tried to get access to the catholic hospital.  “At Canberra Hospital, since 1995, we humanist chaplains have been officially administering to the increasing number of staff patients and their families who are unchurched, & non -theist," Charles Foley said.  However,  the Calvary Hospital catholic dominated chaplaincy refused to allow each of us to serve at their hospital and hospice as members of their chaplaincy staff. We fully expect that to change after the takeover.”

‘Calvary concerned they'd be forced to allow practitioners in to discuss euthanasia’ (Lucy Bladen, The Canberra Times)