SIPCC Celebrates 30^th Anniversary

The Society for Intercultural Pastoral Care and Counselling celebrated its 30^th anniversary recently in Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth by hosting a one-day symposium in cooperation with Rheinische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Seelsorge, Pastoralpsychologie und Supervision (RASPuS). Attended by many founding members of SIPCC, the event looked not only to the past but also to the future of SIPCC.

“This has been an excellent opportunity to reflect on what was an innovative step in 1995 and that was to consider pastoral care and counselling through an intercultural lens,” said Rev. Kees Smit, SIPCC Executive Committee member. “Several pastoral counselors in the Rhineland, particularly Helmut Weiss and Klaus Temme, had a vision for a new approach to spiritual care and the result was both SIPCC and RASPuS.”

“We are grateful the partnership with RASPuS has continued over the past 30 years, and in particular for their strong support of this anniversary celebration,” Smit added.

The success of their vision could be seen by the attendance – both in person and online – of multifaith SIPCC members from around the world. Over 50 people were part of multiple conversations focused on the theme of “Care in a Wounded and Wounding World: Interreligious and Intercultural Practices.” Both Rev. Dr. George Varughese (SIPCC Executive Committee member) and Rev. Peter Krogull (chair of RASPuS) examined the theme from a caregiver’s perspective, noting that spiritual care practioners need to be aware not only of how they provide care for the wounded but, sadly, to also be aware of the ways in which they may inflict the wounds. “Good pastoral care acknowledges the wounds and lets them breath,” said Krogull. But good spiritual care must also be aware of – and acknowledge – the ways in which it can wound.

Today is a “turning point as we attempt to explore in depth not only the inner worlds of our being (his-stories and her-stories) and belonging (personal and collective identities), but also the ongoing journey of becoming by being aware of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to fulfill SIPCC’s vision and mission,” Varughese reflected.

Looking to the future in times of such uncertainty, SIPCC President Prof. Dr. Zehra Erşahin stressed the need for SIPCC to continue its path of “courageous connection … and radical listening. We are about building bridges where others build walls. And if we are to leave a footprint on this earth, let it be one that says: We choose dialogue over division.”