Of Chaplains and Charges

September 19, 2011

Opinion

Federal parliament has seen accusations levelled and chaplains championed.

The Chaplains

This episode is a great example of "Be careful what you wish for".

After disquiet had been expressed about the National School Chaplaincy Program, it was reviewed. Some hoped that this might lead to its abandonment. After reading my tea leaves (through the tea bag), I foretold that the program would be safe.

Well blow me down, the federal government's chaplaincy program has indeed been saved and even expanded! Just call me ''NostraDick" and pay great heed to my Melbourne Cup tips.

You will recall that the federal government funds chaplains in 2700 schools and that this has led to the obvious fear that this program will be used as an evangelical exercise. Also, it is objected to by those who do not want religious education for their children.

After an Ombudsman report, a review and consultation with 7000 mainly enthusiastic respondents, the government has decided that it will continue with an expanded program with some tinkering with the rules. New chaplains will be required to have increased welfare and referral skills. One thousand extra schools will be funded with a total cost of $222 million! Oh and it will have a name change to include the word "welfare" in the title.

There is, however, one big but hidden win for the secularists. Rather than a chaplain, schools can employ a secular welfare worker. This is an opportunity I imagine only a minority will grasp as the faith-based organisations are, at this time, better prepared to put troops into the chaplaincy field. Nonetheless, it is a significant beach head for the godless.

I remain conflicted on this program. I am less upset about it than I should be. It has been reviewed and monitored to within an inch of its life. It still has to survive a High Court challenge (hearings were held in August with a decision expected maybe in my lifetime). Extra welfare resources for schools are not that objectionable. Nonetheless, it is clearly an evangelical win for the God botherers but it is a win that does not make me too maudlin. For this is not a closed feudal society with Taliban teachers monopolising the information flows. In our world, where choices are exploding, a ''time out'' with a chaplain does not seem so sinister, especially if that chaplain is not a chaplain but a secular welfare worker.

There is a culture war going on about the role of faith-based training in our schools. Both NSW and Victoria have ongoing battles about the right of parents to avoid such training and the right of secular moral philosophy to replace it. This latest federal round is an ostensible loss for the secularists but embedded in the detail is the welfare officer win.

Thus another round has ended in endless battle between the secular and faith-based battle for the souls of the young. In truth, I suspect both the godless and the godly have lost the battle for hearts and minds of the young to PlayStation and Facebook.

The Charges Part 1

In the Senate in 2009 Senator Nick Xenophon raised allegations of dodgy employment practices against Scientology.The interest of the Senator in the Church of Scientology arose initially because of the tax deduction status and moved on to more serious charges.

The allegations centred on young people who were employed and complained of underpayment, abusive conditions and virtual imprisonment.

These allegations were not new to Scientology and are now to be tested in the courts for a class action has commenced.

This case will not be simple as volunteerism and low pay are an accepted part of the church and community sectors. Indeed the atheist foundations and associations are all run on the sniff of an oily rag and the labour of volunteers. How will any court easily sort out what is informed volunteering and what is underpayment through exploitation? When I work in the community sector I am amazed if anyone offers me money. Kids however are different and could have been ripped off. Time will tell and the court results could have profound results for both freedom of religion, freedom from exploitation by the religious and the role of volunteerism in the faith (and other) sectors. This is not an unimportant case. NostraDick has spoken.

The Charges Part 2

I am not going to write about the truth or otherwise about Senator Xenophon's latest allegations as he had protection of privilege and I do not.

Let me just make one godless point about the collateral damage to Monsignor Cappo, vicar-general of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide, who has resigned from his role as Chair of the Mental Health Commission. I think that it is an unintended consequence of Senator Xenophon's blast and probably harsh on poor old Monsignor Cappo. But I do ask myself about the appropriateness of the initial appointment. Mental health issues have been associated with both sexual abuse and the difficulty of young gay and lesbian people coming out.

The Roman Catholic Church has not distinguished itself in either gay and lesbian issues or the sexual abuse drama. Thus, the initial appointment, no matter what extraordinary personal attributes Monsignor Cappo might have, was deeply flawed. I care not what people believe and do in their private life but I have reservations about a public role for religious leaders especially if that role is tainted by the beliefs of the organisation. Sad to say, poor old Monsignor Cappo's demise might merely rectify a poor initial decision and was a necessary evil.

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Comments

459 comments so far

Howard deliberately over-funded the god schools, and deliberately pushed god into the public schools, and Labor couldn't wait to ensorse what he'd done. That's not a minor matter to be smoothed over with jolly anodyne words, but considerable social engineering against a secular democracy. The claim that the program has been 'reviewed' is naive, the circular 'reviews' only tell the minister what he wants to hear. Principals can fib as they wish in their applications, can fib about the chaplain's remit, and misuse the chaplains, and be confident they will get away with it. It's been happening for four years at one school I know.

Stephen - September 19, 2011, 8:24AM

Dear Stephen,

Thanks for this. Yes I had to look up "anodyne" - inoffensive. This is an astute observation. I am anodyne - and self consciously so. For being anodyne in a space that is known for its ferocious conflict is an aspiration of mine. Whilst of no faith myself, I do recognise that people of faith are the overwhelming majority. I therefore seek not to stoke the fires of discord on all occasions but occasionally seek to make an accommodation where one exists. That doesn't mean I would forgive misuse funds under the program but it does mean that I am not as belligerent and bellicose as many in this debate.

Thanks again,

Dick

Dick Gross - September 19, 2011, 11:01AM

The reason for the continued support of the Axis Ministries and their god squad of uneducated creationists is because they fear another Senator Fielding.
The hard christian minority can provide a 2% block vote if not higher. Now they are addicted to the money, if any government threatens to take it away, they will lobby hard to remove that government in favour of a government that will provide that money.
Abbott has substantial christian credentials and labor are trying to neutralise that by throwing money away.
This has led to bad policy, addiction to government 'welfare' which is exactly what this is to a dying christian minority.
So what if a few kids are lost along the way from rational thought and taught rubbish by hacks and zealots, a worthwhile loss on the path to re-election.
Bad policy, but as you say, it won't get removed, and while secular folks are available for hire, they'll be hard pressed to get someone of quality and the axis ministries, already fat from sucking of the government teat, have a substantial capacity to lobby and infiltrate.
Its up to us parents to protect our children from the zealots.

Dan Warna - September 19, 2011, 8:49AM

I love your pun on the Access Ministries name!

Dikc Gross - September 19, 2011, 11:03AM

Dick
personally I would have gone for Dick-nadamus - sounds better
I also have some form in predictions - I regularly predict any meal my sister cooks will be overcooked & flavour-less (100% accuracy so far - that beats the Nosta man & I don't even use confused language that can be taken to mean anything)
Not big on the chaplain program myself - I can't see the groups who dominate it not pushing religion - some of their own web sites suggest they certainly won't be backward in pushing their own sky fairy view
Also - the catho on the mental health body would be equally qualified if he was on one regarding marraige (all that celebacy gives them a lot of insite into such matters)

Paully | Newcastle - September 19, 2011, 9:01AM

Are the chaplains paid by the schools they visit, and Is the Federal Government reimbursing the cost? A disgrace if so, and one would hope the High Court will throw the chaplaincy program out in the case that has been lodged there.

best before lunch - September 19, 2011, 9:12AM

"Sad to say,poor old Monsignor Cappo's demise might merely rectify a poor initial decision and was a necessary evil."His proven expertise in the field and public record in record in South Australia notwithstanding!
Intelligent as you are,you must be aware that your point implies that,contrary to the provisions of the Australian Constitution, a religious test be imposed on certain persons for public office regardless of how specific the office,because of their religious beliefs.
This push for a"religious test",unconstitutional,intolerant and contrary to the claimed glories of "diversity"as it is,is taking an increasing hold among and becoming a tenet/demand of atheists., separation of church and state proponents and vociferous fringe groups with "Bright"political and social agendas.These are the very people who demand whatever they are pushing for be approved purportedly as a matter of "human rights and justice" while seeking to deny/deprive others of similar rights.It is a another step towards the imposition of tyranny,be it by the majority or the minority,
Note also the recent article"Asking Candidates Tougher Questions About Faith"by Bill Keller,outgoing executive editor, in the New York Times Magazine of 25/8.So Dick did you think about this all by yourself are are you simply joining the chorus of the intolerant Brights.?
You have to agree that under the same principles,given the endemic corruption in the Labor Party and affiliated unions,a necessary evil is that no member of either can/should ever hold public office if we want clean government.

The Beak - September 19, 2011, 9:15AM

Monsignor Cappo should never have been appointed as Chair of the Mental Health Commission; it was inappropriate from the start, even without the subsequent allegations made against him.
Religious Leaders should be excluded from appointment to positions in organisations where their "religious beliefs" are at conflict with the aims of that organisation.

rob1966 | Sydney - September 19, 2011, 9:17AM

Hi Dick,
Been working very long days in the absence of my boss, and his boss, and finally succeeded in making myself sick. On the plus side I get to read your blog again for the first time in several weeks.
Not sure what the fuss is about here. A couple of points to keep things in perspective:
- a chaplain and welfare officer is there for those who want to use them. If you are an atheist and think a school welfare officer can't help your kids because they believe in God that's your choice.
- A Dick points out our schools are providing a huge range of influences on our kids. I immediately thought back to the Spiritual Special of Q&A:
"VIRGINIA TRIOLI: John Safran, can I just finish with you on this? Is religious education, by definition, brainwashing in your mind?
JOHN SAFRAN: Well, you can take it too far. It's like saying, oh, if you're going to listen to heavy metal albums, you know, you're going to go on shooting sprees or, you know, so like I think it's not like having a chaplain in your school like it's the only influence that's going to be on the kid. There's going to be multiple things and so...
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: But what if the chaplain is saying things or perhaps proselytising in a way that, as a parent, might disturb you?
JOHN SAFRAN: Yeah, but, you know, it's kind of that's like life.

Bigmac | Sydney - September 19, 2011, 9:25AM

Thanks Big Mac - every cloud has a silver lining - your illness brings you back here. I hope your feeling better soon.

That interchange at the end of your comment summarises my view on this. My kids are going to be exposed to all sorts of ideas, many I don't agree with or may even find repugnant. I distinctly remember my daughters talking from a very young age of "head" after seeing Sex in the City. Not a good look in the under 10s. So we live in an environment where there are so many messages out there, the school chaplain looks pretty benign to even the most committed atheist. This is such an information rich environment that I think we can trust kids to make informed choices.

I would have a different view if our children were in a very closed society such as what I have heard about Saudi Arabia (never been there so I might be wrong). Saudis were the overwhelming majority of the 9/11 suicide bombers. Correlation or causation???? But Ozzie kids are mostly in a completely different information environment and can be trusted to sort the wheat from the chaff.

Go well,

Dick

Dick Gross - September 19, 2011, 11:12AM

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