How to Locate a Chaplain

Chaplains exist in and for all faiths.

Chaplains provide counsel, encouragement and assistance in times of distress. A chaplain is generally considered to be a minister, priest or rabbi. Chaplains serve other faiths outside of Christian and Jewish beliefs. They can be found in a variety of settings including nonreligious institutions such as hospitals and prisons. Wherever they serve, they are obligated to respond to all individuals seeking support, and not just those of their own affiliation.

The belief systems of independent nontheologians are generally rooted in psychology. These practitioners usually list their services in the Yellow Pages under "chaplains" or "counselors" and appeal to people who are not religious. They readily serve at any event, from weddings to funerals.

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Instructions

Chaplains in Various Institutions
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  Hospital chaplains serve patients, staff and their respective families.
  
  Medical facility - To locate a hospital chaplain, contact the chaplaincy office of the facility. Typically, the office is open during normal business hours. However, in cases of emergency, the hospital will have names of local ministers, rabbis and nontheologians on call. Such ministers will usually attend to people of any faith.
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  Army chaplains have been part of the military for many years.
  
  The Military - Contact your unit's chaplain directly or through senior military staff. Military chaplains serve in a pluralistic environment.They must support all staff and their family members, whether or not the values of the one seeking counsel differ from the chaplain's personal beliefs.
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  Chaplains are readily available to prisoners.
  
  Prisons - Prisoners can contact an on-site chaplain who works within the prison system. Besides counseling and delivering urgent messages, chaplains can mediate family issues and perform inmates' marriages. As in the armed forces, prison chaplains must respond to and accommodate all religious beliefs and values with sensitivity. The prison system has a wide assortment of theological backgrounds. Besides Protestants, Catholics and Jews, other belief systems might include Hinduism, Islam, Rastafari, and Wicca.
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  Educational Institutions - Students in religious schools and colleges, with chaplains of their own religious persuasion and belief system, can make an appointment as needed through the institution's chaplaincy office. Chaplains are also available at public universities. These chaplains do not have to be of any particular religious persuasion and are available to all of the student population. In Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the University of Calgary has a multi-faith chaplain center.
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  Rabbis - Jewish chaplains are available for all institutions where chaplains are generally found including the military. While Jewish institutions will have a Jewish chaplain available to counsel students or clients, rabbis are also available for Jewish students in public universities. Students will need to contact the chaplain's office.