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Issue no 139 - Remembering War

Remembering War - is it better to forget?

Terry Martin

Abstract: In this paper I  consider some pastoral responses to the emotional and psychological consequences of war and the place that public rituals, particularly those associated with Remembrance Day, might contribute to the creation of meaning and thereby to the healing process.

Remembering War - a Response

Peter van de Kasteele

Abstract:    Twentieth-century European wars, and two World Wars in particular, continue to be of intense interest to the British psyche. The recently published New Dictionary of Pastoral Studies includes an article about 'War' but it makes no mention of the pastoral care of combatants or other people involved apart from chaplaincy.

Ambiguity and Opportunity: appraising practical theology

Paul Ballard and Stephen Pattison

Abstract:   This article describes an empirical research project into the nature of masters provision in practical theology carried out at Cardiff University in 2001-02. It outlines the main findings of the project and also goes on to raise questions for this disciplinary field based on discussion of those findings, concluding with an invitation for readers and practical theological educators to engage in further dialogue on the issues raised.

The Admission of Children to Communion before Confirmation: a survey among Church in Wales Clerics

Keith T. Littler, Leslie J. Francis and T. Hugh Thomas

Abstract:    A sample of 224 stipendiary parochial clergymen from the Church in Wales completed a survey regarding their views on the admission of children to communion prior to confirmation. The balance of opinion is clearly in favour of admitting children to communion prior to confirmation, although less support exists for its practice among older clergy than among younger clergy.