Article Added On: September 24, 2009 - 10 months ago
Title: Edmonton urged to eliminate city chaplain’s office
Original URL: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Edmonton+urged+eliminate+city+chaplain+office/2025664/story.html
Author: GORDON KENT
Publication: Edmonton Journal
Publication Date: September 24, 2009 - 10 months ago
Faith Groups: Other Christian
Themes: Religion and society, other

EDMONTON — Members of council’s executive committee were urged Wednesday to eliminate the city chaplain’s office and replace the job with volunteers from various religious groups.

Edmonton has the only full-time city chaplain in Canada, but “in our multicultural, pluralistic society there remains a question of whether any particular faith ought to be entrenched,” speaker Charlie Richmond said.

While not criticizing the work done by the chaplain, the name of the position could at least be changed to “perhaps bring a more welcoming atmosphere from that office to persons of other faiths,” he said.

The chaplain’s role was established 28 years ago to deal with employees seeking spiritual direction, grief, stress, depression, relationship problems and work concerns, says a city report.

Like his colleagues, Coun. Don Iveson wants the job to continue, but wondered whether the city can “reposition” what it does to recognize the changing face of employees.

“Twenty-eight years ago this was probably a pretty white, pretty male, pretty Protestant organization. It isn’t anymore.”

John Dowds, the Presbyterian minister who has held the office since 2006, said he assists people from various denominations or refers them to someone from their own faith if they prefer.

The city also provides counselling that isn’t based on religion.

“We have a society that a significant number of people are not connected with any faith tradition or faith community,” he said. “Sometimes they’re not sure where to begin or how to begin. I can be that point person.

“I believe in holistic treatment for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. It’s important that all these aspects be nurtured.”

Almost one-third of Dowds’ time involves short-term counselling. He also handles such tasks as dealing with workplace and personal crisis, meeting new employees, visiting work sites and delivering about 30 condolence letters annually from the mayor to staff who lose family members.

Corporate services general manager David Edey said the chaplain is paid at the same rate as a minister, and eliminating the position wouldn’t save the city any money because volunteers receive honorariums and someone else would have to do the administration.

There are no plans to change the job or the title, which refers to someone from any religion, he said.

Dave Loken, the Coalition of Civic Unions liaison representative who sits on the chaplain advisory committee, said employees respect Dowds, particularly the firefighters he comforts at the scene of trauma.

“The position is unique, and it provides a different kind of feeling, a different kind of service, than you would get from a counsellor.”f