The integration of minority faith groups in acute healthcare chaplaincy
[Thesis]
Bryant, Joanna
Cardiff University
2018
Thesis (Ph.D.)
2018
Chaplaincy provides a microcosm through which the public role of religion can be examined and interrogated. Only two studies have examined the question of minority faith involvement in chaplaincy, both conducted before the large-scale introduction of formalised substantive chaplaincy posts for minority faith groups. The rapid development of Muslim chaplaincy, from visiting ministers to lead chaplains, has begun to be explored. But it is clear that a study concerning all minority faith groups involved is necessary in order to fully understand how far the boundaries of inclusion and exclusion have shifted since the turn of the century. Practitioner literature barely accounts for these developments in chaplaincy, while contributions by minority faith groups are rare. This thesis develops this literature by exploring the status and integration of minority faith groups in acute healthcare chaplaincy. This is achieved through a multi-site ethnography of five case studies of chaplaincy teams across England. Minority faith involvement is largely, but not solely, characterised by mediation, negotiation, and stagnation. These findings are situated within a broader framework of participatory parity, which not only refers to distribution and recognition, but also the socialisation 'gap' that exists for many minority faith chaplains. These factors impact on their ability to speak the language of the institution and the chaplaincy profession. These findings and analyses are then compared with the chaplaincy literature to show the situatedness of the mainstream chaplaincy discourses around spirituality, marginality, professional identity, and collegiality. The findings and analysis have significant implications for an understanding of how the roles of religious professionals adapt and change in a diasporic context, but also for understanding how religion is mediated in the National Health Service.