Spiritual and Psychosocial Support – Accompanying Others Impacted by COVID-19
Presented by Rev. Richard W. Bauer MM LCSW BCC
August 19, 2021 ~ 12pm – 1:30pm Central Time
Overview and Objectives
“The role of the missioner [chaplain] is to stand in the face of horror, and not run away.” Sr. Brigid Corrigan, M.D., MMM
The impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented crisis. We have often heard that “crisis” can mean both danger, and opportunity. In the face of the continued pandemic, new variants and outbreaks, and limited global vaccine availability, the pandemic can be an opportunity to be God’s presence of wholeness, healing, compassion and justice. This webinar will explore the recent Vatican document from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development: Accompanying People in Psychological Distress in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Members of One Body Loved by One Love.
As a result of this webinar, participants will be able
- Identify the unique challenges to spiritual well-being and mental health emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. (ITP 2, PPS 2).
- Review some of the key themes from Catholic social teaching and explain a Catholic understanding of social responsibility and solidarity and apply these to a pandemic response of spiritual accompaniment. (ITP 2.1)
- Review Catholic understandings of spiritual suffering and hope and how these concepts can assist a chaplaincy response to the pandemic. (ITP 3)
- Describe some of the Church’s and chaplains’ spiritual healing responses for those affected by COVID-19. (PPS 5, ITP 2.2)
NACC Certification Competencies Addressed in this Webinar
ITP 2, ITP 2.1, ITP 2.2, ITP 3, PPS 2, PPS 5,
Presenter Information
Fr. Richard (Rick) Bauer MM is a priest with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers and has been involved in ministry and support for people affected by HIV since 1982. He was ordained for the diocese of Salt Lake City in 1985 and then incardinated with Maryknoll in 2005. Fr. Rick was missioned to Africa in 1997 serving as the director of Catholic care and support programs for people with HIV first in Tanzania later in Namibia and now serves as the Director of Spiritual and Psychosocial Support for the Eastern Deanery AIDS Relief Program in the eastern slums of Nairobi, Kenya.
As a board certified chaplain (NACC) and clinical social worker, Fr. Bauer has a wide range of experience with care and support activities and integrating holistic spiritual and psychosocial care into program service delivery.
He has served on the board and is an active member of the African Palliative Care Association. During the past 18 months, Fr. Rick is now serving on the UNAIDS/PEPFAR Faith and Community Initiative and developed and disseminated COVID-19 prevention messages and messages of hope with global community faith leaders. He served on a WHO panel to develop materials to educate faith leaders on COVID-19 prevention and vaccination.
