Madam, - I support Ciaran Cuffe's request for on-campus crèche facilities for students in third-level institutions (The Irish Times, January 31st). I am dismayed, however, that at the same time he considers chaplaincy services in these same institutions should not be funded by the Exchequer.
His line of argument shows a very narrow and outmoded understanding of chaplaincy. Whether in hospitals, schools, prisons or college, chaplaincy is about the holistic care of the human person. In contemporary chaplaincy services trained women and men, lay, religious and clerics, work side by side.
What is distinctive about the care given by chaplains is the inclusion of spiritual needs. Chaplains meet people particularly at times of confusion, crisis, distress, illness, despair and death. They give comfort, support, hope and the space to explore issues of ultimate meaning.
There are many indications that young people today have real difficulty in finding meaning in their lives. So many families are devastated by suicide. The level of binge drinking is well recorded.
The level of aimlessness and almost nihilistic existence among young people referred to by Emily O'Reilly in her address at the recent Céifin conference clearly struck a chord with many people.
We actually have failed our young people. In our critique of religious structures of the past, much of which was justified, we have thrown the baby out with the bathwater. There is a vacuum. We have given our young people nothing to believe in.
Is it any wonder there is despair, confusion and emptiness? Comprehensive chaplaincy services in third level institutions are essential.
In order to offer our young people that to which they are entitled the services need to be paid for by us all. - Yours, etc.,
AILEEN WALSH, Lecturer in Pastoral Theology, Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Milltown Park, Dublin 6.