29.04.2022
Trauma–Informed Pastoral Care Seminar and RCB Guidance for Parishes on Accommodating Refugees
The Sanctuary in Faith stream of Places of Sanctuary Ireland is organising an online trauma–informed pastoral care seminar on Thursday May 19 from 4pm to 7pm. Meanwhile, the Representative Church Body has approved guidance for local churches seeking to accommodate refugees from Ukraine.
The Sanctuary in Faith stream of Places of Sanctuary Ireland is organising an online trauma–informed pastoral care seminar on Thursday May 19 from 4pm to 7pm.
Refugees and asylum–seekers will have faced a range of traumas in their journeys of seeking sanctuary, traumas which clergy, pastoral workers and volunteers within faith communities may feel unequipped to recognise and uncertain how to respond.
This seminar is geared towards clergy, lay chaplains, lay pastoral workers, and volunteers who may have contact with refugees and asylum–seekers through links with direct provision centres in their local areas, community sponsorship initiatives, or those who are members of their worshipping communities. Even in the context of informal or community activities, such as English conversation groups, cooking/craft projects, and befriending initiatives, trauma awareness can can be helpful. All faith traditions are welcome to participate in the seminar.
The seminar will be led by Dr. Katie McQuillan, a counselling psychologist on the psychotherapy team in Spirasi. Alongside her private practice, she is also a post–doctoral research fellow in Trinity College. Her research focuses on promoting refugee and migrant children’s integration and well–being. In addition, she has experience as a psychologist working across HSE public mental health services.
Please note the seminar is limited to 50 participants. Registration is via Eventbrite here.
Separately the HSE has an online resource on understanding trauma. It is available until May 6 by clicking here.
RCB Guidance for Churches Responding to the Crisis in Ukraine
The Representative Church Body, the Church of Ireland’s central trustee body, has approved guidance for local churches seeking to accommodate refugees from Ukraine in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. This is now available in the Parish Resources section of the Church of Ireland website.
Introducing the guidance, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, and the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, write: “As part of the Church of Ireland’s response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine, the Property Committee of the RCB has developed most helpful guidelines for members of the Church of Ireland who wish to respond either as individual clergy or as parishes to Ukrainian people who now find themselves in Ireland.
“While the document speaks for itself, one of the key elements in encouraging such outreach is the safety and well–being of all who participate in giving and receiving assistance in this time of human tragedy and devastation.
“We draw particular attention to the Emergency Approval Process which will speed up decision making in a situation where human need accelerates daily.
“We commend this timely initiative and encourage all members of the Church of Ireland to avail of opportunities to serve the needs of displaced persons from Ukraine in whatever ways are humanly possible.”