Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic remains tenacious and continues to mutate. It has clearly identified a worldwide biological challenge infecting and felling most of the world’s population. Simultaneously, it has revealed the need for more uniform approaches to biological uncertainty. In its wake, this pandemic has revealed many other underlying social, political, and economic pandemics. Globally, inequities of all sorts have been revealed, now standing more openly and more pressing than ever before. These inequalities will not disappear when the COVID-19 scourge is tamed. They are inherent within and among most nations and effect the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being all the world’s populations. It is no longer possible to ignore these realities without consequence.
Pastoral and spiritual care providers are well-aware of the toll these underlying pandemics take on individuals, communities, and populations. In caring for others, they recognize that frequently an individual’s physical, social, and geographical context are contributory and as significant components of their spiritual, psychological, and medical distress and well-being.
Recognizing these factors, The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling (JPC&C) has formally expanded its ongoing reach globally, most recently by creating and International Board to work in conjunction with the existing Board of Managers to encourage, support, and provide professional publishing opportunities more expansively. In addition to the continuing publication of professional and scholarly materials from around the world, from time to time JPC&C will be publishing special thematic sections of its quarterly publications representing themes for pastoral and spiritual care globally. These offerings will provide opportunities for readers to share and learn from each other more broadly.
The content of this issue reflects a number of these broader issues, ranging from medical concerns, special attention to care for those of differing cultural and religious traditions, to troubling experiences colleagues caring for those incarcerated in prisons. Models for addressing aspects of pastoral/spiritual care training and personal development, and enhanced models for intervention and care are offered.
As a special highlight, just as JPC&C this year celebrates its 75th year of ongoing publication, the Association of Professional Chaplains also observes its 75th year of growth in the field. This brief history of its evolution is chronicled here revealing the historical conjunction of these two anniversaries.