| Communication
More than 50 professional Chaplains rose with a resolve to give more empathic spiritual care in a multi-cultural environment as the University wrapped up the 2nd International Chaplaincy Conference.
Themed, Help! A Chaplain’s Response in a Hurting World, the four -day conference attracted participants facilitators from the United States, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Benin besides the host country, Nigeria.
President/Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ademola S. Tayo encouraged participants to make the most of the conference.
“The conference is to help professional chaplains understand ministering to people on the campus, prisons, the police and military,” said a Military Chaplain from Ghana.
“Chaplaincy is one area we’ve been neglecting here in Nigeria,” said another. “Beyond been a basic requirement for the chaplain’s endorsement, this conference has enabled me to become more sensitive and empathic to the needs and hurts of others.”
In his address, keynote speaker, Chaplain of Lagos state, Pastor Oladele Ajayi, stressed on the need to show empathy without being judgemental or intrusive.
“It is important for the chaplain to be empathetic and respect the individual’s unique grieving process and provide a listening ear and supportive prayer during the grieving period,” he said.
For conference host and Chaplaincy Director of the West Central Africa Division of the Church, Pastor (Dr.) Ugochukwu Elems, the programme is “right on target with many hurting people in the world in need of healing.”
“For me, this conference means more empathy and commitment,” said Chaplain Yetunde imam.
“This will serve as a continuing education and a platform networking.
What This Conference Means To Us?
Pastor AZORUNDU, Peter:
This programme is a good experience for me to meet other chaplains and provides opportunity to broaden my experience. I see it enhancing my coping skills and capability in the chaplaincy ministry.
Chaplain IMAM, Yetunde:
It means more empathy and commitment. It has moved me from not only having empathy but also having compassion to help hurting students and employees in Babcock University in any legal form.
Chaplain AGBETAYO, Mary:
This programme is a life-enriching one especially as it provides networking opportunity to relate with other chaplains from the prison, hospital and the military. It is the coming together to share experiences and trauma to helping us become better chaplains so we can reach out to more people in this hurting world. Until you have the ability to empathize, people can’t get up to open up to you.
Col DUODU, Peter:
This conference serves as a continuing education and a platform to create a bigger networking opportunity to meet other chaplains.