Ordinance on Pastoral Care in Institutions (SIVO) (SIVO)

1 This Ordinance regulates the mandate, duties, and organization of pastorates in institutions and pastorates with mixed sponsorship, as well as the mandate and duties of pastors active in such a pastorate.

2 Sections 6–9 apply mutatis mutandis to pastors

a. who are active in the pastorate of a parish and additionally fulfill their mandate according to Art. 112 and 113 of the Church Order³ in an institution, in a facility according to § 5 para. 1, in a pastorate with mixed sponsorship, or within the framework of the Overall Church Services,

b. who are active in a pastorate of the Overall Church Services.

In this Ordinance

1. Institutions

Hospitals according to no. 2, nursing homes according to no. 3 and prisons according to no. 4;

2. Hospitals

Hospitals and psychiatric clinics in the Canton of Zurich where the Church Council has established a pastorate;

3. Nursing Homes

Nursing facilities in the Canton of Zurich where the Church Council has established a pastorate;

4. Prisons

The institutions, prisons, correctional centers, and facilities designated in the Canton of Zurich for the execution of deprivation of liberty and measures for adults and juveniles;

Definitions

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Ordinance on Pastoral Care in Institutions (SIVO)

5. Pastorates with Mixed Sponsorship

Pastorates for which joint sponsorship exists between the Regional Church and other cantonal ecclesiastical corporations, as well as further partners;

6. Department

The competent department of the General Church Services.

The Church Council establishes

a. Parishes in institutions within the framework of the credit approved annually by the Church Synod with the budget,

b. Parishes with mixed sponsorship within the framework of the decisions of the Church Synod and based on agreements with the other sponsors.

1 The Church Council, within the framework of the approved credits,

**determines the employment levels (Stellenpensen) of ministers in institutions and in**

**parish offices with mixed sponsorship.**

**2 For parish offices with mixed sponsorship, it considers the**

**agreements with the other sponsors.**

1 Pastoral care is the responsibility of

a. in institutions and in the area of parishes with mixed sponsorship, the pastors employed by the Church Council;

b. in hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, and facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities, where no pastoral office established by the Church Council exists, the pastors working in the parish office of the church community at the location of the respective facility.

2 If several church communities and parish offices are located within the catchment area of a facility according to paragraph 1 letter b, they shall coordinate with each other regarding the provision of pastoral care in this facility.

3 If an agreement according to paragraph 2 cannot be reached or if there are important reasons, the Church Council may declare a church community and its parish office responsible, irrespective of the location of the facility according to paragraph 1 letter b.

Section 2: Mandate and Responsibilities

The parish offices in institutions and the parish offices with mixed

sponsorship fulfill their mission within the framework of Art. 68

of the Church Order.

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Regulation on Pastoral Care in Institutions (SIVO)

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1 Pastors in Institutions and Parishes with Mixed Sponsorship – Basic Attitude

1. Pastors in institutions and parishes with mixed sponsorship, within the framework of their ecclesiastical mission and in the spirit of their ordination vow, particularly recognize the dignity of persons who are in the institution or who approach the parish office, especially in crisis and borderline situations. They respect the religious beliefs and the will of these persons.

2. They are open and sensitive to pastoral concerns of persons of other denominations or religions and, upon request, facilitate contact with one of their clergy.

1. **Female and Male Pastors in Institutions and Parishes c. Networking**

Female and male pastors in institutions and in parishes with mixed sponsorship strive, within the framework of the mandate of the Regional Church and their ordination vow, to integrate pastoral care beyond the parish office into the operational environment at their place of activity.

2. They collaborate with the competent bodies and specialists at their place of activity, in the interest and for the well-being of persons who are in the institution or who approach the parish office.

3. In their work, they coordinate with the representatives of other cantonal church bodies in the institution or parish.

4. They make themselves available as specialists for pastoral care and contribute to theological and ethical questions.

5. When fulfilling the mandates according to paragraphs 1–3, they maintain professional secrecy in accordance with Art. 101 of the Church Order.

1 Pastors in institutions and in pastorates with mixed sponsorship perform the following tasks in particular

a. Pastoral care for persons who reside in the institution, work in the institution, or turn to the pastorate, and if necessary, also for relatives and other reference persons,

b. upon request or as needed, establishing contact with the pastorate of the church parish of which the person concerned is a member,

c. organization and structuring of church services and ceremonies,

d. celebration of Holy Communion, also outside of a church service upon request,

e. baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funeral services,

f. design and delivery of religious educational programs,

g. collaboration in committees and expert groups of the institution as well as in the education and continuing training of employees and volunteers of the institution,

h. promotion and support of volunteer work in the pastorate.

2 Funeral services for persons who have died in an institution shall be conducted by the pastorate of the church parish of which the deceased person was a member. The pastorate of the institution may conduct the funeral service at the request of the deceased person or their relatives if pastoral reasons so require. It shall consult in advance with the pastorate of the church parish to which the deceased person belonged.

3 Pastors in pastorates with mixed sponsorship shall perform, in addition to the tasks according to para. 1, those tasks assigned to them according to the agreement with the other sponsors.

Additional training

Staffing

a. Pastorates in institutions

b. Pastorates with mixed sponsorship

3. Section: Pastors

1. Pastors in institutions and in parishes with mixed

sponsorship must demonstrate an appropriate additional

qualification.

2. The Church Council determines the type and scope of the additional qualification according to

para. 1.

1 The appointment of pastoral positions in a parish office in institutions is the responsibility of the Church Council or the body designated by it.

2 The Lead Pastor of the pastoral care area concerned and a representative of the institution concerned shall participate in the appointment process.

3 Furthermore, depending on local circumstances, the following may be involved

a. the advisory board according to § 19,

b. the Dean, the Vice-Dean within the catchment area of the institution concerned.

Subject to agreements with the other supporting bodies, the appointment of pastorates in a parish with mixed sponsorship is carried out by the Church Council or the body designated by it.

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Ordinance on Pastoral Care in Institutions (SIVO)

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1 The Head of the Department conducts the professional and evaluation discussion as well as the needs assessment with the specialized and pastoral leaders. She or he may involve the responsible persons of the institutions or other sponsoring bodies of the pastorates in the relevant pastoral care area.

2 The pastoral leaders are responsible for the professional and evaluation discussion as well as the needs assessment with the pastors in their pastoral care area. They may involve the responsible persons of the respective institution for the needs assessment.

3 If a pastorate in an institution or a pastorate with mixed sponsorship is not assigned to a pastoral care area, the Head of the Department conducts the professional and evaluation discussion as well as the needs assessment with the pastors of that pastorate.

1. Pastors in Institutions

Pastors in institutions provide on-call duty for the provision and readiness of pastoral services. The Church Council regulates the details.

To the extent that this Ordinance contains no regulation, the provisions of the Church Order, the Staff Ordinance4, the Implementing Ordinance to the Staff Ordinance5, and the Ordinance on the Pastorate in the Regional Church apply to Supplementary Pastors in Institutions and in Parishes with mixed sponsorship.

**Section 4: Organisation**

of the Ordinance on Reformed Hospital Chaplaincy. They shall constitute themselves within one year of the entry into force of this Ordinance.

1 **Parish Offices in Institutions and Parish Offices with Mixed Sponsorship are Subject to the Church Council**

1 Parish offices in institutions and parish offices with mixed sponsorship are subject to the Church Council.

2 Unless the Church Council designates another body as competent, it is specifically responsible for

a. Supervision of the parish offices as well as the female pastors, pastors, and employees in the parish offices regarding their official duties and the fulfillment of their tasks,

b. Structuring of parish offices in institutions and parish offices with mixed sponsorship into pastoral care areas,

c. Appointment of the leading female pastors and pastors,

d. Assignment of deputies in case of impediment of the female pastors and pastors,

e. Regulation of the tasks and responsibilities of the department as well as the leading female pastors and pastors,

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f. Ensuring on-call service in accordance with § 14,

g. Coordination of pastoral care, with regard to parish offices in hospitals and nursing homes as well as parish offices with mixed sponsorship, with the parish offices in the church congregations in the catchment area of the institution or the parish office concerned,

h. Ensuring cooperation between parish offices in institutions and the institutions concerned and their employees,

i. Promoting interdenominational and interreligious cooperation.

3 For parish offices with mixed sponsorship, agreements with other sponsoring bodies remain reserved.

The department fulfills the tasks assigned to it by this Ordinance and those delegated by the Church Council in accordance with § 16 para. 2 lit. e.

1 Each pastoral care area is headed by a Senior Pastor.

2 The Senior Pastors lead their pastoral care area. They fulfil the

tasks assigned to them by this ordinance and those transferred by

the Church Council in accordance with § 16 Para. 2 lit. e.

1 For pastoral offices in hospitals and nursing homes, advisory

boards may be formed.

2 The advisory board is generally composed of

a. a pastor of the pastoral office concerned,

b. a representative of the hospital or nursing home,

c. other suitable persons.

3 The advisory board accompanies the pastoral office and supports it in the fulfillment of its

mission. It serves for mutual professional exchange.

Section 5: Transitional and Final Provisions

1 The Church Council shall issue the orders necessary for the execution of this ordinance.

2 The transfer of pastoral care in nursing facilities, where there is no longer a parish established by the Church Council, to the competent parish churches and pastorates according to § 5 para. 1 lit. b shall take place at the latest by the end of the 2016–2020 term of office for pastors.

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Ordinance on Pastoral Care in Institutions (SIVO) 181.50

3 The advisory boards according to § 19 shall replace the advisory boards according to

of this Regulation.

1 OJ 71, 285; for grounds, see OJ 2016-04-22.

2 Entry into force: September 1, 2016 (OJ 2016-06-10).

3 RS 181.10.

4 RS 181.40.

5 RS 181.401.

6 RS 181.402.

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