The Pastoral and Missionary Centre “Saint Andrew Șaguna” of the Archdiocese of Sibiu will host the first national conference of hospital chaplains from September 22 to September 24, 2025.
The event will be attended by Patriarchal Counsellor Father Ciprian Ioniță, coordinator of the Social-Philanthropic Department of the Patriarchal Administration; Father Alin Nica, coordinator of hospital chaplains in the Archdiocese of Bucharest; and chaplain priests providing religious assistance in hospitals and socio-medical centres across the country.
The agenda includes the presentation and discussion of the protocol signed between the Romanian Patriarchate and the Ministry of Health in October 2022, along with organisational issues concerning hospital chaplains at the national level.
The activity of hospital chaplains will be addressed from pastoral, administrative, philanthropic, and professional development perspectives.
The second day will feature thematic workshops for priests serving in specialised hospitals, including psychiatric institutions, maternity hospitals, palliative care centres, oncology hospitals, and multidisciplinary units.
The gathering will conclude with the appointment of members of a permanent working group to oversee the objectives set during the conference.
The protocol on Christian Orthodox religious assistance in medical units under the Ministry of Health updates and complements earlier agreements and includes the involvement of chaplains in promoting preventive health behaviours.
More than 250 hospital chaplains are currently active in Romania’s medical institutions.
Photo: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacau
