Religious counselling in secondary schools

Abstract

The research analyses Religious Counselling in secondary state schools in Malta and compares it with good chaplaincy practices in Irish secondary schools. A review of the relevant literature on school chaplaincy is presented. A triangulation of research methods is used, including in depth interviews, a one week job shadowing exercise and a questionnaire, to give a more comprehensive evaluation of the situation. The research indicates the importance of spiritual growth in holistic education and the role the religious counsellor should play in pastoral care. In Ireland, the school chaplain is a lay person, remunerated like any other member of the staff and is a full time presence of faith in the school. In Malta, the religious counsellor is a priest, on a part time voluntary basis and his role is focused mostly on sacrament celebration. The research concludes with a set of recommendations to improve religious counselling in Maltese secondary schools.