Hospital Services
Kaplan Service
Chaplain service is one of the standard services of a modern hospital. Chaplains help everyone, whether patient or employee, to cope with difficult life situations. Their ministry in the hospital allows spiritual support but is not tied to a particular church. Anyone can therefore apply for a chaplain, regardless of his or her religion or spiritual orientation.
What the chaplains have to offer
The chaplain service is quite varied and includes many possibilities to use it. These are mainly the following activities:
- face-to-face interviews and consultations,
- escorting in difficult life situations,
- assisting patients and their families in challenging decisions,
- help finding solutions to personal problems,
- providing a spiritual dimension in difficult situations,
- consultation of generally ethical problems,
- promoting human dignity in specific situations,
- interventions in conflict situations.
Myths about the chaplain ministry
The chaplain service in the hospital is relatively new and very burdened with misconceptions and myths. Here are a few generally traded mistakes that will help explain the way chaplains work in the hospital.
- Myth 1: I'm not dying yet. I don't need "last anointing."
This service is here for anyone who needs help. For people in any situation. Kaplan makes no difference in "diagnoses". It is there for everyone, and the “last anointing” is certainly not what is exclusively their job.
- Myth 2: The chaplain will "preach" and blame me for sins.
The chaplain certainly doesn't preach. Above all, Kaplan listens. He knows that we all have their bright and dark sides and his job is to promote everything good and positive in man. The chaplain has no moralizing and haunting in the job description.
- Myth 3: The chaplain is a hooded priest and will convince me of faith.
The persuasion of anyone to whatever the chaplain is not in the job, and not even allowed. Kaplan is a professional who has undergone extensive study and training to accompany, support and listen. Any manipulation or persuasion is a gross ethical violation. The chaplain accompanies the atheist, buddhist or christian in the same way. If necessary, he or she can provide spiritual care for the particular church that the patient requests.
- Myth 4A: The chaplain has too much and I am stupid to bother him with my problems.
The chaplain does not judge what is a big or small problem. If you address it, it will certainly suit you. From that he is part of the medical team. His job is to help anyone who needs it.
Regular activities
In the chapel of st. Crosses are held every Wednesday from 5.30 pm regular old Catholic worship.
Venue
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General University Hospital in Prague Kříže (1st floor), Apolinářská 18, 128 00 Prague 2
