Advocacy: The Sacred Heart of Chaplaincy

Because to advocate is to love. And to love is at the very heart of spiritual care.

In the work of chaplaincy, presence is often described as our most important gift. To sit with someone in silence, to pray with them in their pain, or to simply hold space when words fail—these are holy moments.

But there is another sacred responsibility that often goes unnoticed: advocacy.

Advocacy is more than speaking up; it is standing in the gap for those who cannot speak for themselves. In hospitals, in crisis, in grief, or in the chaos of decision-making, voices are often lost. Fear, exhaustion, or trauma can leave people unable to express their needs, their wishes, or even their pain. That is where the chaplain steps in.

To advocate is to say:“You matter. Your story matters. Your dignity matters.”

In this way, advocacy becomes prayer in action. It is love embodied in a way that not only comforts, but also protects. It is a reminder to medical teams, systems, and even families that the person in front of us is more than a diagnosis, more than a problem to solve—they are a human being created with worth and deserving of respect.

As a pastoral care practitioner, I see advocacy as inseparable from spiritual care. Presence offers comfort, but advocacy ensures that comfort is sustained in action. Presence whispers peace, but advocacy gives peace a voice. Presence honors the soul, while advocacy protects the body and spirit. This is not easy work. It requires courage to speak truth in moments where silence might be easier. It requires discernment to know when to speak and how to speak in ways that are both firm and compassionate. And it requires faith to trust that even small acts of advocacy can make an eternal difference.

In the end, advocacy is not an “extra” part of chaplaincy—it is central. It is how we make sure that no one is left unseen, unheard, or forgotten in their most vulnerable moments.

Because to advocate is to love. And to love is at the very heart of spiritual care.