Help us raise $300,000 for NCR!

We have raised $158,746 from 784 supporters. We are 53% of the way to our goal!

Airport chaplains: 'Flying on a Wing and a Prayer'

by Tom Gallagher

View Author Profile

Join the Conversation

March 10, 2011

The Wall Street Journal offers a glimpse into the spiritual offerings of a airports around the world:

At least 140 airports around the world have designated chapels, and more than 250 have airport chaplains, according to the International Association of Civil Aviation Chaplains, an ecumenical non-profit organization. While chaplains are among the first-responders in the event of a crash, day to day they spend their time offering solace to travelers, consoling the bereaved, hearing confession or offering blessings to passengers before they board airplanes.

"It's a ministry of presence," says the Rev. Chris Piasta, a Roman Catholic chaplain at New York's Kennedy International Airport. "Years ago people enjoyed flying. Nowadays, no one talks about an enjoyable experience anymore."