Father Dan Schlegel, vicar for clergy and religious for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, convened a meeting of hospital chaplains from across the diocese to discuss their ministry, share ideas and look to the future.
Nearly 20 chaplains gathered for the session at the diocesan offices in downtown Cleveland last week.
They talked about how the pandemic affected their role, precautions being taken to stay safe while continuing to minister to patients and families and how to be more effective in their ministry.
In his role as vicar, Father Schlegel oversees the group.
They talked about procedures at their respective institutions and how they could initiate and maintain contact with patients and their families.
They also discussed anointing of the sick and best practices for ministering to dying patients.
Father Schlegel said it’s critical to maintain sensitivity and to be present and available for the patients and their loved ones at the end of life.