Author: Sandy

Theology of Prison Chaplaincy

Citation
Coetsier, Meins G.S., Towards a Theology of Prison Ministry, Trinity College Dublin, School of Religion, Loyola Institute, 2021
Download here  6.122Mb (http://hdl.handle.net/2262/96469)
Abstract
The argument being made in this thesis is that Karl Rahner’s views on prison ministry, although valuable and of significance in their context, are not adequate to deal with the more complex needs and demands of prison ministry in the twenty first century. A greater pastoral appreciation is necessary of the traumas, conflicts and suffering experienced by prisoners, prison pastors, prison staff and, indeed, in the wider world. The subjective world of the prisoner also needs to be addressed in an effort to engage with his/her innate human desire for meaning and fulfilment. Consequently, a more contemporary approach to prison ministry is required today which will draw on concrete experience of the above-mentioned traumas and conflicts and which will be sensitive to and inspired by the search for meaning as experienced by prisoners/facilitated by prison pastors. Such an approach leads to a theology based on empowerment that can be found through a creative and meaning-centred response to suffering, as illustrated by the lives of Viktor E. Frankl, Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn and Etty Hillesum. 

Meins Coetsier is a German prison chaplain. His writing focuses on a theology of prison ministry and considers the violence of the human condition, and the subsequent experiences of alienation, forsakenness and imprisonment. In the Bible, we find the structures and foundations for this disorder, which in turn, is the theme of his research: forsakenness and imprisonment. He reflects on prison experiences, and its articulation in symbols of alienation and estrangement in the Scriptures. Drawing on the writings of Karl Rahner, he sheds light on the experience of incarceration and on the question of pastoral ministry on the margins. He concentrates on two Christian ordained ministers: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Alfred Delp. With Viktor Frankl, he shows us that everything can be taken from people in their imprisonment but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way before God. 

Rev Deacon Val Aumann

AUMANN (nee SWAN), Rev. Deacon Val
Born 6 October 1937, died 18 August 2021, aged 84. Sparkling, greatly loved, Uniting Church Minister, teacher, pastor. Val was daughter of Orm and Eunice, wife of Peter, lovely mother of Ali and Geoff, dear Granny to Samuel and Sienna, friend of many. Our thanks to Grand Cedar for much care. Our praise to God for so much goodness and strength. 

Val died in Knox Hospital Melbourne on 18th August, and a wonderful online service was held on 26th August to celebrate her life and ministry, involving involved her congregation at Ewing Memorial at E Malvern, her family and grandchildren in Gold Coast, and many old Deaconess and Deacon friends.

Val was the daughter of schoolmaster Orm Swan who was appointed to Middle Creek State School near Buangor during World War 2. 

Val had been Deaconess at Horsham, Huntingdale and Traralgon, in Victoria. She married Peter in 1966, with two children, Ali and Geoff. She trained as a Kindergarten Teacher, and taught widely.

She went on to minister in St Andrews Gardiner, Altona, Altona Meadows, in Fairfield Alphington, and Pascoe Vale.
Val did an important emergency supply at Bacchus Marsh, and then at Ballan.

Val was actively involved with the planning and activism for the renewed Diaconate. She was recognized as a Deacon in 1992 at the Inaugural Service at Wesley Church, along with the first UCA Deacons. 

After retirement, with husband Peter, Val made wonderful friends in regional parishes – St Arnaud, Finley NSW,  Sunraysia, as well as at Cheltenham and Ewing Memorial.

She was an active leader among the Retired Deaconesses. 

Val had been in Nursing Home care for two years, well cared for at Grand Cedar in Ashwood.

A loving mother, a strong and caring wife, an energetic, able, minister of Christ.
(information from her husband Peter C Aumann)

A story told by Val about meeting Prince Philip in 1945…

Val’s grandfather was Rev. Ashby Swan, born 1885 Geelong; educated at Melbourne University and the Theological Hall. Ordained in 1913. Served at Gawler, Wallan, Burnley, Mornington, Balaclava and Caulfield Central – St. Giles. Died in 1950.