Chaplaincy Services

National Chaplains' Conference Declaration 1989

Mission and Vision

"Without a vision the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18)

Arising out of the National Chaplains' Conference held June 19-23, 1989 in Aylmer, Quebec, we make the following statement.

It is our hope that this declaration will give substance and form to the direction in our vision and mission as we respond to God's call.

We state at the outset the following principles:

1. Each person is created in the image of God which nothing can change. "Each person is a sacred story."

2. Evil is a reality. Each person is capable of destructive behaviour, even if this seems in contradiction with their creative potential based on the image of God in them.

3. The full biblical concept of justice is the core of Chaplaincy ministry.

4. There is always the possibility of reconciliation: within ourself, between persons, and between groups in society. Chaplaincy is committed to activating this dynamic of reconciliation within the CSC.

5. Chaplaincy is committed to a role of service in its relationship both to the powerful and to the powerless.

A. To Offenders:

We affirm:

• that you are created in the image of God, and we acknowledge your struggle to live out of that image and we encourage your efforts to achieve reconciliation.
• your hope in what is often a hopeless and despairing situation. "Hope even when there is no reason to hope," said Saint Paul.
• your efforts to be God's people within the institution and your increasing understanding of what that means.

We envision:

• a clear realization by you that reconciliation is not cheap and simple, but costly. The rebuilding of trust and credibility within community takes time, commitment and consistency.

B. To Volunteers

We affirm:

• with vigour the value of the ministry with which you have been entrusted. You are the mediators of community and signs of reconciliation.
• a renewed commitment by us to your ongoing support, training and supervision. You are an important part of chaplaincy ministry.

C. To the Correctional Service of Canada

We affirm:

• the statement of Core Values and Guiding Principles within the Mission document as a positive and creative guide for corrections.
• the commitment of the Correctional Service of Canada to persons with particulars needs: to female offenders (especially the development of plans for a minimum security institution in Kingston, Ontario); to Aboriginal offenders; to offenders who belong to minority religious groups.
• staff and private citizens who work within the CSC. They perform difficult, challenging and demanding tasks.
• the explicit recognition of the importance of Chaplaincy at the national, regional, institutional and community levels.

We envision:

• the provision of more psychiatric and psychological services to offenders.
• continued diligence in addressing the needs of female offenders, Aboriginal offenders and long-term offenders.
• that Regional Staff Colleges will address the Core Values and Guiding Principles of the Mission document in the training of new staff.
• that vegetarian diets be made available as an option for any offender.
• review and reform of legislation so that the principles and values of the Mission document will be reflected in public policy and that increased importance will be given to alternatives to incarceration.

D. To the Churches and Faith Groups

We affirm:

• your ongoing support, directly and through the Interfaith Committee, to chaplaincy and to chaplains working within the CSC.
• your dedication to welcoming offenders back into the faith community following release.

E. To the Wider Community

We recognize and respect:

• the fears you have which revolve around persons who are or who have been incarcerated.

We envision:

• addressing these fears, and distinguishing between those that are realistic and those that are unfounded because of misinformation or prejudice. Each of us needs to examine in ourselves those things which block the way to community and reconciliation.
• a community justice system which will not be so heavily dependent on prisons as the main response to the problems of criminality.

F. To Ourselves as Chaplains

We affirm:

• our commitment to the ministry to which God has called us, a ministry that goes beyond our individual institution.
• the active presence of the Divine in the life of our institutions.
• the importance of working in community with other chaplains at the institutional, regional and national levels to learn about new approaches to ministry and to receive support in times of stress.
• the importance of worship and sacrament, religious education, visible presence, volunteers and pastoral care to offender and staff.

We commit ourselves:

• to make our vision a reality
• to find creative ways to increase opportunities for sharing, fellowship and communication
• to widen our concerns to be aware of broader justice issues both locally and internationally.