Purpose

The Spiritual Care Advisory Council shall be constituted to perform certain advisory functions related to the development and implementation of spiritual and pastoral care within the Catholic health ministry including issues around chaplaincy, the provision of sacraments and the well-being of all who are served and serve within the ministry to enable the Vice President, Sponsorship and Mission Services and the staff to carry out their duties on behalf of the Association.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

The Spiritual Care Advisory Council acknowledges that the provision of spiritual and pastoral care is of critical importance to the identity of the ministry. As such, the Spiritual Care Advisory Council, will, at all times be guided by CHA's mission statement, CHA's Statement of Shared Identity, and its seven core commitments which are: acting as a ministry of the church, promoting, and defending human dignity, attending to the whole person, promoting the common good, caring for people who are poor and vulnerable, acting on behalf of justice and stewarding resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Spiritual Care Advisory Council will provide staff with input on the state of spiritual care within ministries and issues which are arising. Members will also provide ongoing commentary on the discipline of spiritual care. The Spiritual Care Advisory Council's activities are in furtherance of the Association's goal to protect the provision of robust spiritual care in Catholic ministries. This council works closely with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) leadership and shares resources and best practices across the ministry through articles, webinars, and the CHA and NACC websites.

COMPOSITION:

The council is comprised of 10 to 12 mission and spiritual care leaders representing the continuum of care (acute, post-acute, long-term care, physician practices/clinics, hospice/palliative care) as well as various organizational levels (system, regional and facility). The council utilizes subcommittees and task forces to accomplish its work. The council meets several times a year in person or by teleconference. There are no limits on terms of service.

STAFF LEAD:

The Spiritual Care Advisory Council will be staffed by the Catholic Health Association's Director of Mission who will provide logistical and administrative support, as appropriate, and facilitate agendas and documentation of meeting.