Church of England clergy trained to help flock cope with terror trauma

Church of England clergy are to receive training in how to cope with the aftermath of terror attacks. 

A new project led by a professor at the University of Exeter aims to help them explore how "tragic events [can] be related to the narratives of Christian Scripture and doctrine". 

It will also help them consider how "the resources of lament & psalmody be deployed in tragic situations".

The programme, Tragedy and Congregations, was set up before this year's incidents but held its first session with curates in the diocese of Exeter last month. 

Project director Dr Christopher Southgate told the BBC Radio Four Sunday programme: "People often have to find their own systems of support. It needs to include trained and qualified people like a supervisor, a spiritual director and so on. 

"Sometimes clergy can operate in reflective practice groups where they support one another but these mechanisms are only gradually becoming part of clergy life."

He added that the trauma of dealing with upsetting events can in some cases lead to clergy leaving the ministry, or to "long-term ill health". 

"We need to help trainee ministers not only to have their systems of human support but also to find ways and places where they can be genuinely honest with God about the cost of what they're having to do," he said. 

The training programme will run for three years, running courses around England. 

It will help trainees deal with incidents caused by terror as well as disasters such as flooding and the Grenfell Tower fire. 

Churches have found themselves at the centre of many of the incidents which have taken place this year. 

Southwark Cathedral was forced to close for more than a week following the London Bridge attack, and police broke down its doors in the moments after the attack while checking for terrorist activity. 

Following the Grenfell fire St Clement’s, Notting Dale became a hub for volunteers helping people left traumatised and homeless.