Conference focuses on caring for an ageing clergy
National
Different approaches to caring for an ageing population of priests, as well as ways of supporting priests as they settle into a new culture were some of the many ideas shared by carers who attended the annual Clergy Care Conference held in Adelaide in March.
Hosted by the Adelaide Archdiocesan Clergy Care team, the ‘Together in the Spirit of Care’ conference brought together more than 35 professionals from dioceses throughout Australia and New Zealand.
The majority of delegates were clinical nurses, with occupational therapists and physical therapists also represented. Some were part of large teams in metropolitan dioceses while others work as sole practitioners in vast rural areas.
In welcoming the group to Adelaide, Archbishop Patrick O’Regan acknowledged the vital role of “relationship and accompaniment” that they provided to clergy and added it was important for them to gather to share their knowledge.
“Pope Francis, God rest his soul, would often invite us into a space of accompaniment, because sometimes we feel alone,” he said.
“(Your role) is not about being a walking stick, but someone who accompanies with great skill. I know that is one of your many gifts… and I know it can sometimes be a bit of a struggle to always get our clergy to come on board with that.
“At these conferences it is not only about encouraging each other, but also who accompanies the accompaniers? These are wonderful opportunities to clarify and encourage, but I also ask that people be a little bit selfish for a couple of days because you are selfless people.”
Archbishop O’Regan noted that while their clinical skills were invaluable, so too was their ability to build relationships with the clergy, at a time when their health was declining.
Several delegates who spoke with The Southern Cross during a lunch break described their work as continually changing.
“The clergy is older and living longer, and they are staying in their own homes for longer,” one said
There was agreement that working in this field was vastly different from that of a clinical nurse in a hospital setting, with a “holistic” approach always central to their work.
At times they were called upon to advocate for the priests, many of whom had no family to act on their behalf particularly when dealing with the medical system.
Older priests often found the transition to retirement difficult, as they felt a “loss of identity” when handing over a parish which was like a “family” to them they said.
Hence the work of the Clergy Care professional was not just of providing health care but also emotional support and tending to their general wellbeing. It was sometimes simply a case of making the time to sit down and have a chat and a cuppa with the priest the delegates said.
While a majority of their work is focused on elderly priests, an area of increasing need is supporting missionary priests who are settling into a new culture.
Two missionary priests, Fr George Oluoch from Kenya and Fr Rajashekhar Gundiga CSC from India, addressed the conference and shared the challenges they faced when moving from their home countries to serve in the Adelaide Archdiocese.
Other topics covered during the three-day conference included issues surrounding mental health among clergy. Geriatrician Dr Alicia Innis spoke about understanding dementia and supporting older clergy, while group discussions focused on aged care and retirement planning in dioceses.
As suggested by Archbishop O’Regan, there were also opportunities for the delegates to take time for themselves. During their visit they enjoyed an evening Fringe show, an early morning walk around the Central Market, with time for reflection during Mass at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral.
Adelaide Archdiocese Clergy Care and Wellbeing manager, Emma Grieve, said the conference was the perfect setting for fellow professionals to network and share ideas.
She said the importance of their work was highlighted in a national study into Catholic clergy health and wellbeing that was released late last year.
“We take very seriously our role to support the health and wellbeing of the clergy, but it is not the responsibility of the health professionals alone,” Emma said.
“Everyone does their best, but it is up to all the Church to listen, learn and act – because the wellbeing of our clergy is central to the wellbeing of our Church.”
