The Cure of One Soul: Reflections on Bishops' Chaplaincy

Summary

Pastoral theology has often reflected on the experience of different types of chaplaincy or sector ministry, but it has not reflected hitherto on chaplaincy to bishops. Such ministry, while involving small numbers of people and limited to certain denominations, nevertheless raises significant wider issues about church leadership and how it is supported. This article aims to rectify the deficit of attention to bishops' chaplaincy by identifying its distinctive features; outlining eight tasks that the work involves; offering reflections on pastoral experience of the role; and drawing on these details to suggest a theology of such ministry, based on the theology of David Stancliffe.