I value the involvement of SCORE which specialises in sports chaplaincy. Most football clubs have a chaplain and there are chaplains in Rugby League and a Methodist in Horse-Racing! SCORE seeks to support individual chaplains by organising regional gatherings and conferences.
I asked the chief executive of Lancashire - an avowed atheist - if he would write something about the value of chaplaincy. This is what he wrote:
"Asking me to write about Chaplaincy at a cricket club is probably like asking Herod what he thought about children!
You will gather from that, that as a non-believer, I don't have any faith in the power of any God. Having said that, I fully respect the views of others that do, and there is no doubt that our Club Chaplain, Malcolm Lorimer, has performed a very valuable service at the Club.
For players, he almost acts as a mentor, perhaps when a player is going through a bad time professionally.
With the rest of the staff, Malcolm has offered real support to those who have suffered bereavement and others who just need someone to talk to, with a gentle and understanding manner, during difficult situations.
As well as the duties he performs above, Malcolm has also acted at weddings and funerals of those who are or who have been connected with the Club, and regularly conducts the scattering of ashes on the ground of anyone from an officer of the Club to an ordinary member.
It is not a role that is quite obviously religious, but one where sympathy and understanding and a readiness to listen are important. In today's helter-skelter world, a voice of calmness can be inspiring and invigorating."
If you can get an endorsement from an atheist for chaplaincy-you must be doing something right!
Rev.Malcolm G Lorimer
A Yorkshireman Chaplain to Lancashire!
I have been involved with Lancashire County Cricket Club for over twenty years in very many different capacities and recently as Hon. Chaplain to the Club. Being born in Yorkshire didn't prevent my appointment but I can say that, as I believe in 'conversion', when the two sides meet I do support Lancashire!
Chaplaincy is for the whole club, to the administrative staff, organisational and commercial as well as the playing staff. I always say that when I go into the club I never usually talk much about cricket but people are interested to talk about religion and matters which concern them. They set the agenda, I just listen or respond.
Cricket is such a long game that while players are waiting to bat, or if it is raining, they are often glad to see you. I'm always nervous when entering the dressing room, fearing that my presence may herald a clatter of wickets. One day when I went in they were all watching a quiz show. There was a Biblical question on the screen which fortunately I knew the answer to! When a player is injured or coming back after a long period off it is often a good time to take time out to see them. Personal problems can often affect their game and you can offer support in times of bereavement or family crisis.
There are other roles like scattering ashes of members on the outfield and taking funerals of former players and officials. Cricket is unusual in that it has the highest suicide rate amongst all sports of former players. Perhaps it's the time players spend together during their careers, the close bonding of the dressing-room, the difficulty of replacing this when they retire from the game and sometimes the isolation they feel.
The other year Pakistan were due to play a One-Day International at Old Trafford. I was listening to Five-Live and a young cricket supporter came on explaining how difficult it would be for him to attend due to the requirement of praying five times a day and spending 10 hours in the cricket ground. I organised a Prayer Room which could be used by Muslims and anyone to pray which was greatly appreciated by all those who used it.
