Hospital chaplaincy breaks down barriers

13 June 2001

An ecumenical covenant was signed today (Wednesday 13 June) that commits the various Christian faiths active in the chaplaincy of the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust to work together as closely as possible.

“This is a momentous occasion not only in the life of the Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care but also for the West Suffolk Hospitals as a whole,” says The Revd David Crawley, Head of Chaplaincy Services.  “I am convinced that through this covenant the Chaplaincy Department will be more able to provide for the very different religious and spiritual needs of our patients and staff.”

“Whilst there is a lot of work which we can do together as a Department, we will endeavour to remain as sensitive as ever to the specific needs of every individual.”

Only around ten hospitals in the country have taken this step, which the chaplaincy has been working towards for six years.  The covenant was signed in the hospital chapel by representatives of the main religious organisations in East Anglia and the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust.