St Michael’s College, an ecumenical theological training institution, has announced that it is to commence upon a new exciting partnership in Health Service Chaplaincy Training.

|TOP|The partnership will see St Michael’s College, which is a collegiate member of the faculty of Religious and Theological Studies at Cardiff University in Wales, and the Joint Training Office of the Hospital Chaplaincies Council unite to introduce an historical new course.

The Hospital Chaplaincies Council is the Church of England's council for healthcare chaplaincy.

Rev. Dr.Peter Sedgwick, Principal of St.Michael's College said, “Chaplaincy is a growing area in the ministry of the church. St.Michael's aims to be the foremost theological college in England and Wales in this area, and to work in partnership with Cardiff University in building a Centre of Chaplaincy Studies.”

Rev. Edward Lewis, Chief Executive of the Hospital Chaplaincies Council, said: “This is an exciting partnership with a respected academic player as the HCC Joint Training Office commissions training which will support both the work done within the NHS and the Churches/Faith Communities.”

From September 2006 the Introductory Training Courses for Acute and Mental Health Chaplains will be delivered at St Michael's College through a new module of the BTh in Practical Theology.

|AD|Each course will be delivered as a free-standing double module of the Cardiff BTh in Practical Theology, attracting 20 credits at level 2, which may either become part of a Cardiff qualification or used as APL towards a certificate, diploma or degree at another British university.

It is envisaged that all newly appointed full-time and part-time chaplains of whatever faith will enrol for this course.

“The Faculty of Religious and Theological Studies in Cardiff University (of which St Michael's is a part) is peculiarly well suited for this partnership”, reports a St Michael’s College statement.

The statement continues: “It already delivers with St Michael's College a highly prestigious Master's degree in Chaplaincy Studies for Military, Health Service and Education Chaplains. The Faculty specialises in Practical Theology, and has a coveted 5*A research rating, placing it in the top 3 schools in the country.”

Revd. Dr Michael Wilson, the Director of Chaplaincy Studies at St Michael's College said, “We are delighted that this course has come to Cardiff. It is concrete evidence that St Michael's is coming to be regarded as the centre for training for chaplaincy and chaplaincy studies.”

The Bishop of St. Albans, Rev. Christopher Herbert, who chairs the Hospital Chaplaincies Council, backed this view saying: “I welcome very warmly the links that are being established with S Michael's College, and Cardiff University. The work of Hospital Chaplaincy is one of the hidden treasures of the NHS and this development will ensure its importance and value will continue to grow.”