Category: News

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of former IACAC President 1993-1999) Fr. James Devine (88), a longtime JFK Chaplain at Our Lady of the Skies and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Fr. Devine was born on May 13, 1934, ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1960, and died on November 1, 2022. He was appointed the full-time Chaplain to Our Lady of the Skies Chapel at John F. Kennedy International Airport in October of 1988. Father Devine loved to work with his fellow Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim chaplains.

Father Devine was at the airport when Pan Am Flight 103 crashed in Lockerbie, Scotland, and was immediately sent to console the families of the victims waiting in the Pan Am lounge. He was also at the Travel Lodge Hotel to help family members of victims on TWA Flight 800.

In 1995, Father Devine was appointed one of the first Port Authority Police Chaplains. He encountered yet another episode of tragedy during the September 11 attacks of 2001.

“We lost at least eight policemen from JFK and many more from the Port Authority,” Fr. Devine said. “I did many of the funerals for those lost during the attacks because I personally knew them.”

We the St. Louis Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy (STAIC) wish to invite the International Association of Civil Aviation Chaplains IACAC to St. Louis, for the 2023 Annual Conference on October 22, 2023, to October 27, 2023.

Our theme will be, “Embracing God in Airport Chaplaincy.”

Our conference speakers will be Rabbi Mark Shook, Professor Shima Rostami, ­­­­­­­­­­­Fr. Thomas McDermott OP, and Fr. Adrian.
We anticipate the cost to be $1000. We are excited and looking forward to serving the IACAC in 2023.

Deacon Jim Martin, President Emeritus
Rev Rodrick Burton, President

19th-23rd September
Conference Theme: “Learning From Adversity – Equipped for a Post Covid Industry

Registrations are still open for online participation in the conference. Do join us online if you are unable to attend in person. The conference program is available online.

Online Attendance – $50US
All registrations and payments should be made through the IACAC website.

Have you or your team used technology in an innovative way during the past couple of years? One of the conference sessions is a time for sharing what has been collectively learnt and how we can benefit from innovation elsewhere.
It would be very helpful to hear from any chaplaincy on how they responded. A short paragraph sent to Steve Buckeridge about the need it met, how it has been effective and any other learning would be great.

At the 2022 Annual Business meeting to be held in London this September, elections will take place for a new Media Officer. Nominations for the position of Media Officer have been received from Mr Alan Benstock, Manchester and Fr Fabrizio Martello, Milan Linate. Only members who have paid their 2022 membership will be eligible to vote. Proxy voting will be available for any financial member who is unable to attend the conference but wishes to cast their vote.

Details of how to apply for a proxy vote are available from the Secretary.

Nominations were received at the Nairobi Annual Business for the position of President from Mr Martyn Scrimshaw, Melbourne, and for Vice President, from Canon Liz Hughes, London Luton.
As only one nomination was received for each of these positions those nominated are elected unopposed to take office at the end of the London Conference.

President – Mr Martyn Scrimshaw, Melbourne
Vice President – Canon Liz Hughes, London Luton.

Nominations will be received at the September Business Meeting for the position of Treasurer for election at the 2023 Annual Business Meeting. Our present Treasurer, Rev Romeo Dabee, is not seeking reelection.
Please think and pray for someone to nominate for this position.
Perhaps you could be that person.

Please to hold in prayer the Rev Edward Nambute of the Nairobi Airport Chaplaincy. Edward recently underwent major surgery and, while he he is expected to make a good recovery, he has some paralysis on his left side. Once he is well enough he will receive physiotherapy to aid him in returning to good health.

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