Category Archives: PA state prison chaplain

(Copyright, S. E. Jihad Levine)

Greetings of Peace to All!

When I assumed my duties as PPCA Secretary, Frank Lewis, my predecessor, gave me boxes of archives.  It was a fascinating walk down memory lane to read things like past PPCA newsletters, and minutes of meetings of bygone executive committees.

One of the things that captured my attention is a little brochure entitled, “The Covenant and The Code of Ethics for Chaplains of the Pennsylvania Prison System.”  

On the back of the pamphlet, is a statement that the Covenant and the Code is “adapted with permission from The Covenant and The Code of Ethics for Chaplains of the Armed Forces which was adapted with permission from a similar document for clergy of the American Baptist Churches.”

The Covenant and the Code requires the PPCA member’s signature.  To my knowledge, we are not using this anymore, nor are we requiring new members to sign it. 

While this document is heavily laced with language from the Judeo-Christian tradition, I still think it is valuable to share it here on our website because it can serve as a reminder for all of us.

——-

THE COVENANT

Having accepted God’s call to minister to people who are incarcerated, I covenant to serve God, the prisoners, and staff with God’s help; to deepen my obedience to the commandment to “love the Lord our God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself.”  In affirmation of this commitment, I will abide by the Code of Ethics for the Pennsylvania Prison Chaplains, and I will faithfully support its purposes and ideals.  As further affirmation of my commitment, I covenant with my colleagues in ministry that we will hold one another accountable for fulfillment of all public actions set forth in our Code of Ethics.

THE CODE OF ETHICS

I will hold in trust the traditions and practices of my religious body.

I will adhere to whatever direction may be conveyed to me by my endorsing body for maintenance of my endorsement.

I understand as a chaplain in the prison setting that I must function in a pluralistic environment with chaplains of other religious bodies to provide for ministry to all inmates, their families, and authorized personnel entrusted to my care.

I will seek to provide for pastoral care and ministry to persons of religious bodies other than my own within my area of responsibility with the same investment of myself that I give to members of my own religious body.  I will work in a collegial manner with chaplains of religious bodies other than my own, as together we seek to provide as full a ministry as possible to our people.  I will respect the beliefs and traditions of my colleagues and those to whom I minister.  When conducting services of worship that include persons of other than my religious body, I will draw upon those beliefs, principles, and practices that we have in common.

I will seek to minister within the bounds of law and standards for prisons as established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  I will see to work with my facility’s administrative personnel both as subject to their authority and minister to their needs.  I will maintain the primary need for prison security in all that I do, both inside and outside the prison.

I will, if in a supervisory position, respect the practices and beliefs of each chaplain I supervise, and exercise care not to require of them any service or practice that would be in violation of the faith practices of their particular religious body.

I will seek to support all colleagues in ministry by building constructive relationships whenever I serve, both with the staff where I work and with colleagues throughout the state prison system.

I will maintain a disciplined ministry in such ways as keeping hours of prayer and devotion, endeavoring to maintain wholesome family relationships, and regularly engaging in educational and recreational activities for professional and personal development.  I will seek to maintain good health habits.

I will only accept added outside responsibility if it does not interfere with the overall effectiveness of my primary prison ministry.

I will defend my colleagues against unfair discrimination {all discrimination is unfair! emphasis Web Admin} on the basis of gender, race, religion, or national origin.

I will hold in confidence (except for the threat of harm to someone or plan of escape) privileged communication received by me during the conduct of my ministry.  I will not disclose confidential communications in private or in public.

I will not proselytize from other religious bodies.  I will minister to the non-affiliated with respect to their right of choice.  I will do my best to provide reasonable access to religious resources appropriate to their faith.

I will show personal love for God in my life and ministry as I strive together with my colleagues to preserve the dignity, maintain the discipline, and promote the integrity of the profession to which we have been called.

I recognize the special power afforded me by my ministerial office.  I will never use that power in ways that violate another human being: religiously, emotionally, or sexually.  I will use my pastoral office only for that which is best for the persons under my ministry.

——-

What do you think?  Comments?  Suggestions?