From featuring in blockbuster movies alongside some of Hollywood’s A-listers to becoming the first Buddhist chaplain in the Australian Defence Force, Chaplain Simon Edds has truly lived a remarkable life.
Chaplain Edds is posted to HMAS Kuttabul and aims to inspire kindness and compassion, with an initiative to develop a regular group meditation practice for the members on base.
Recovering from Covid-19 has felt like a losing game of Chutes and Ladders, says hospital chaplain Kristina Pearson. She shares the lessons of impermenance, acceptance, and wise hope she’s learned along the way.
Chaplaincy in Australia commenced with the arrival of the First Fleet; Rev. Richard Johnson was appointed Chaplain. Since those days of 1786, chaplaincy has expanded to provide spiritual works and comfort to peoples in a variety of service environments and places where people are resident for extended periods.
A Healthy society needs healthy religion. However, in order for health to exist, we need to be in a dialogue with one another, that we may understand what needs to be addressed. At the 2019 FECCA Conference in Hobart, Emeritus Professor Des Cahill, Chair, Religions for Peace Australia addressed the need to consider the white supremacist movement, the case for climate change and religious support, the need for quality religious leadership (particularly for newly arrived religious leaders in Australia) and chaplaincy and spiritual care for a multicultural Australia.