What is the chaplain's role?
Why did PPGG hire a chaplain?
What do we mean by words like "spirituality" and "religion"?
Does the chaplain advocate a religious point of view?
Does the chaplain support non-religious PPGG clients?
Does this make Planned Parenthood a religious organization?
Has Planned Parenthood Golden Gate worked with members of the religious community before?
Who are Planned Parenthood's religious supporters?
Do other Planned Parenthood affiliates have chaplains?
Can you be both religious and pro-choice?
How many religious supporters of choice are there?
How can I contact the Chaplain at PPGG?
| What is the chaplain's role? |
Just as our doctors and nurses provide for the physical health of our clients, our chaplain is available to support their emotional and spiritual health.
The chaplain also works with local clergy to provide referrals for clients who would like to pursue further counseling with a pro-choice member of their own faith tradition.
She also organizes pro-choice clergy in the Bay Area and is a regular speaker in the community and at houses of worship on the connection between spirituality and reproductive rights.
| Why did PPGG hire a chaplain? |
Planned Parenthood is dedicated to providing the highest quality reproductive healthcare to its clients. We recognize that health involves more than just one’s body. For some, healthcare includes emotional and spiritual dimensions as well. The PPGG chaplain is available to provide emotional and spiritual support for any of our clients who feel they may benefit from it.
| What do we mean by words like "spirituality" and "religion"? |
The words spirituality and religion have different meanings for different people. PPGG’s Chaplain looks at spirituality as a broad term and agrees with the definition of the American Academy of Family Physicians that “spirituality is the way you find meaning, hope, comfort and inner peace in your life.”
Examples of spiritual questions include: What is the purpose of my life? Am I connected to something larger than myself? What can I trust? How do I know what is good or right?
Each of us develops our own spiritual beliefs based on our life experiences.
For many people, religion is an important part of their spirituality. The word religion refers to a system of particular spiritual beliefs, often including specific rituals and practices.
Read more in our Spiritual Health section.
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| Does the chaplain advocate a religious point of view? |
No. The PPGG chaplain does not proselytize or advocate a specific point of view, but rather provides non-judgmental emotional support to those clients who feel they can benefit from it.
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| Does the chaplain support non-religious PPGG clients? |
Yes, the chaplain is available to support all PPGG clients, regardless of their religious affiliation. This includes clients who do not hold religious beliefs.
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| Does this make Planned Parenthood a religious organization? |
No. Planned Parenthood remains a wholly secular organization.
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| Has Planned Parenthood Golden Gate worked with members of the religious community before? |
Yes, in fact PPGG has worked with members of the clergy from the very beginning. Clergypersons have served in various leadership roles such as Board Members and have been valued pro-choice allies for Planned Parenthood among their constituencies and with the media.
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| Who are Planned Parenthood's religious supporters? |
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) formed the PPFA Clergy Advisory Board in 1994. Soon thereafter, the PPFA Pro-Choice Religious Network was founded due to the interest among pro-choice religious leaders. More than 2,000 clergy and lay religious people across the country belong to the network. PPFA hired a national chaplain in 2004 as an outgrowth of their continuing relationship with the clergy. The clergy involved with Planned Parenthood provide a vital voice for choice in communities of faith.
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| Do other Planned Parenthood affiliates have chaplains? |
Yes, affiliates in Nebraska, Western Washington, and Texas have chaplains as does Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
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| Can you be both religious and pro-choice? |
Yes, in fact, many people of faith consider themselves pro-choice BECAUSE of their religious beliefs. The media has traditionally overlooked the views of the large number of spiritual and religious supporters of choice in favor of reporting on the anti-choice views of religious extremists. The reality is that the majority of Americans are pro-choice, and this includes many people of faith.
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| How many religious supporters of choice are there? |
The majority of Americans believe that abortion is a personal decision, best made by women, in keeping with their own beliefs. Polling shows that the majority of Americans reject government intrusion in decisions about bearing children and that includes people of all faiths.
The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice represents 15 denominations and millions of pro-choice people of faith. Over 2,000 clergy and lay religious people belong to the PPFA Pro-Choice Religious network.
Links to religious groups for choice:
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
www.rcrc.org
Religious Institute
http://www.religiousinstitute.org/
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice's Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom
http://www.syrf.org
Catholics for a Free Choice
http://www.cath4choice.org
The National Council of Jewish Women's Benchmark Campaign
http://www.benchmarkcampaign.org
Christian Alliance for Progress
www.christianalliance.org
They are not specifically a reproductive rights organization, but their platform specifically includes a pro-choice stance. You can read it here.
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| How can I contact the Chaplain at PPGG? |
You can email the Chaplain here.
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