Chaplain = Ghostbuster?
by Danny Fisher
This from my mother, The Quilted Librarian: It was reported in The Guardian that an Anglican priest and the chaplaincy staff at Derby’s general hospital have been called in to deal with ghost sightings at the health care facility.
- Senior manager Debbie Butler sent an email to staff, informing them of a plan to bring in a priest to rid the hospital of paranormal activity.
She wrote: “I’m not sure how many of you are aware that some members of staff have reported seeing a ghost.
“I’m taking it seriously as it is affecting some members of staff and the last thing I want is staff feeling uneasy at work.
“I don’t want to scare anyone any more than necessary, but felt it was best I made you all aware of the situation and what we are doing about it.
“I’ve spoken to the trust’s chaplain and she is going to arrange for someone from the cathedral to exorcise the department.”
Ghostbusting was definitely not in the job description when I signed up to become a chaplain, but I suppose I could get used to it…
Hmmm… i think ghost-counseling should be the way to go. Busting sounds not so compassionate? May all wandering ghosts have good rebirths.
Amituofo :-]
Danny, this is great! I just forwarded it to the Upaya chaplaincy students….
Maia
I remember that there was a similar case after Hurricane Katrina, in which National Guard soldiers living in a converted warehouse in New Orleans claimed that there were ghosts about. Several NG chaplains then went around the place “exorcising” the ghosts, but my supervisor at the time (a Free Methodist chaplain) explained that it was more likely not technically an “exorcism” but just a blessing of the space.