CCTP Webinar: The Twin Wounds of War II: Delineating Moral and Spiritual Injury and Suggesting a Pastoral Response

Webinar Description: This webinar will consider differences in the commonly -used concept of moral injury and the seldom-reviewed concept of spiritual injury (for example, injuries to one's relationship and experiences with God, sense of justice and reconciliation, life meaning and purpose). After differentiating these twin injuries, the presentation will explore the roles of clergy in helping Veterans who have experienced spiritual injury.

“… though wounded warriors often do experience moral injury as currently defined, they also suffer spiritual injury in combat and may feel its debilitating, life-long effects, perhaps most acutely in their families. Moral injury and spiritual injury are sibling twins of the same mother but distinct indeed, and like all twins must be treated as individuals.”

Training Objectives

• To help training participants to distinguish between moral and spiritual injury

• To appreciate the role of the family system in healing

• To familiarize oneself with potential pastoral responses

Your Presenter

Chaplain (Colonel) Timothy Mallard has served in a number of roles with distinction during his career with the US Army. Among his roles, he has served as Staff and Faculty at the US Army War College and as Command Chaplain, US Army. His current role is Director, Recruitment andEndorser Realtions, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, based at the Pentagon.

In the Winter issue of Providence magazine, Chaplain Mallard published an essay titled, The (Twin) Wounds of War. In it, he delineated differences between moral and spiritual injury and stressed the importance of dealing effectively for both issues with US combat Veterans. We are very pleased to have the opportunity of having this very important topic available to a larger audience.