Providence offers pastoral care to those of many religions

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

[3 MIN READ]

In this article:

  • Hospital chaplains at Providence provide spiritual support and guidance for people of all faith backgrounds, including those who are agnostic or atheist. We also provide pastoral care for caregivers and loved ones.

  • Chaplains provide valuable support for hospitalized people and their loved ones during difficult times, including during palliative care and end-of-life decisions.

  • The Providence chaplaincy team includes a Protestant minister who identifies as nonbinary and serves as an important resource to members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families.

Providence offers pastoral care to those of many religions

For many people spending time in the hospital and their family members, talking to a compassionate and caring professional – such as a hospital chaplain – can bring comfort, guidance and spiritual care during challenging times.

That’s why, at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers San Pedro and Torrance, our diverse group of interfaith hospital chaplains can provide you with confidential, nonjudgmental support, no matter your beliefs.

Chaplaincy support for several faith backgrounds

Our team is here to support your spiritual, emotional and mental health needs while you’re spending time in a medical center. Our hospital chaplains have been specially trained in providing support for those facing challenging health care situations, including end-of-life and palliative care.

“Often, patients assume that a Catholic hospital is only concerned with Catholic and Christian needs,” says Paul White, manager of spiritual care at Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance and spiritual health lead for the South Division. “They are pleasantly surprised to be cared for this way.”

Our hospital chaplains

Our hospital chaplains all have extensive training in assisting people of any – or no – faith, including:

  • Agnostic.
  • Atheist.
  • Catholic.
  • Jewish.
  • Protestant.

Support and resources for other religions

In addition, we offer resources and support for patients and their family members who identify as:

  • Buddhist.
  • Hindu.
  • Muslim.

If you have spiritual needs that can be met by only a religious leader of your faith who is not on our team, we will reach out to local congregations to coordinate spiritual care.

How chaplaincy works in health care: “Faithful Fridays”

On “Faithful Fridays,” the chaplains introduce themselves to new patients who identify as Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist. Depending on the medical center, your care team may provide you with religious texts, prayer booklets and other religious items such as:

  • For Jewish patients – Shabbat bags that include electric candles, kosher grape juice and a bread roll to help them observe the Sabbath.
  • For Muslim patients – Prayer rugs and cubes that recite the Quran in Arabic.

Bringing diversity to pastoral care

Andrew Campbell is a Protestant minister and manager of mission and spiritual care at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro. One of the center’s full-time hospital chaplains, Kendall Kridner-Protzmann, is a Protestant minister who identifies as nonbinary.

“Chaplain Kendall brings a perspective and experiences that connect with LGBTQ+ patients and families,” says Campbell. Providence is proud to offer a wide range of diversity when it comes to chaplaincy, pastoral care and spiritual care for patients and their loved ones.

Chaplaincy as integral to the Providence Mission

Providing this care is part of our Mission. Under the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as a Catholic hospital we are required to attend to the spiritual and pastoral needs of all patients and their families, regardless of faith affiliation or belief system.

“This comes from the preeminent value in the Catholic social tradition of the innate dignity of every human,” says chief mission integration officer Jennifer Kozakowski, “and recognizing the call to care for the whole, integrated person and all their needs.”

Get pastoral care

For more information on the chaplaincy program, call 844-925-0942.

Download the Providence app

We’re with you, wherever you are. Make Providence’s app your personalized connection to your health. Schedule appointments, conduct virtual visits, message your doctor, view your health records and more. Learn more and download the app.

Related resources

Processing and healing from grief

The pandemic changed how mental health is discussed and treated

Interfaith support for everyone

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.

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