BY John Kulp, D.Min(Cand)
MACA Chief of Chaplains
The title of Chaplain (latin cappelani) originated in the fourth
century. Chaplains are named after the "Chapels" that they had
responsibility for. Chapels themselves were named after a religious
relic called the cappella, a half cape worn by St. Martin. Other
religious relics were added to the collection and stored in the chapel
as well. The ministers and priests that cared for the chapel were
appointed by the king to guard the relics.
Charlemagne started the practice of keeping the relics and the
chaplains in his palace. Since few people were educated at that time
priests and ministers composed the majority of the educated class.
Charlemagne not only used them as keepers of the relics but to preside
over religious services, helped with book keeping and the writing of
histories and personal documents of the emporer. They were also
advisors to the king on both religious and non-religious issues.
Kings all over Chrisitian Europe adopted the practice of appointing
chaplains as religious advisors. They were also apppointed to
bishoprics and many of the high offices of the church. The appointments
of chaplains by kings and nobility led to their appointment in
the military as well as other institutions such has hospitals,
prisons, schools, colleges, universities, embassies, legations and
corporations.
During the reformation this practice was adopted by the Protestants as
well. Oviler Cromwell, who was a parliamentary leader of the armies
that overthrew the English monarchy, became 'Lord Protector " of
England, Scotland and Ireland from 1653 to 1658. Cromwell appointed
John Owen as his chaplain and later as dean of Oxford. John Owen was a
prolific puritan writer of practical theology.
Most Americans are familiar wirh the idea of the military Chaplain.
Thier primary duties have included the providing of religous services,
advising their commanders on religious, moral and morale issues;
providing religious education, counseling, and emotional support to the
people and familes of their military units.
