The University of Queensland recently celebrated 40 years of Chaplaincy services at a special Ecumenical Service.
Held at King’s College on Thursday, May 29, the Ecumenical Service highlighted the important role Chaplaincy has played at UQ since 1968.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield also used the occasion to launch the Chaplaincy appeal, asking people to donate to help further the important work of the Service.
“The UQ Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Service provides a model of the way different religious groups representing very different traditions can work together harmoniously, respecting one another’s distinctive faith and culture,” Professor Greenfield said.
“I have pleasure in launching the UQ Multi-Faith Chaplaincy appeal and would encourage people to support their work.”
The current Chaplaincy Administrator the Reverend Peter Rama Rau said it had been quite a journey from when the University appointed its first chaplain.
“UQ's Chaplaincy Services was formed with approval of the University Senate on June 13, 1968, with the Reverend Tom Rees-Thomas as the University's first chaplain,” Mr Rama Rau said.
“From an initial Christian chaplain, this has now grown to become the UQ Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Service, representing the Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths.”
A brief history of UQ’s Multi-Faith Chaplaincy
There had been discussions for a number of years about religious matters at UQ, and the formation of a Christian Staff Group in the 1960s was one outcome of this.
The possibility of the University giving official recognition to chaplains was considered when a letter from Rev. Professor Rolland Busch was tabled at the Senate meeting on 14 March 1968, requesting the appointment of a Protestant chaplain.
After investigations by the University’s legal officer, and further discussions by the Senate, the following resolution was passed by the Senate at its meeting on 13 June 1968:
That recognition be given to a chaplain nominated by a particular church, and that the withdrawal of such recognition be at the discretion of the Senate.
Initially three chaplains were approved, nominated by the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, and one person appointed by the Queensland Council of Churches, representing most of the other Protestant churches.
In subsequent years chaplains representing other Christian churches were recognised including a Lutheran Chaplain in 1972.
The Senate approved the nomination of the first non-Christian, Rabbi Skolnick, who served as a Jewish Chaplain from 1973 to 1976. This position then remained vacant until 1993, when Rabbi Cohen joined the team, and Jewish representatives have been part of the team since that time.
The formation of the Uniting Church in 1977 led to an additional part-time chaplain.
Subsequently the Senate altered the terms of reference to include chaplains from non-Christian groups, and requested the Chaplaincy Committee to extend invitations to these.
By 1996, the Chaplaincy’s work had extended to the Gatton campus and then Ipswich in 1999.
At around the same time a Muslim Imam, though not part of the Chaplaincy team, took part in the annual Anatomy Thanksgiving Service.
Major additions to the Chaplaincy team took place in 2005, when a representative of the Greek Orthodox Church was recognised, along with representatives of the Buddhist and Islamic faiths.
Media: Reverend Peter Rama Rau (3365 7059) or Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (3365 2802).
