The second part of the motto of the Order – For the Service of Humanity – is chiefly expressed through the Priory’s main subsidiary Charity, St John Ambulance; but Pro Fide is of equal importance. The Order is a Christian Order, founded on Christian principles, and motivated by Christian ideals.
The Order admits people of different faiths or none, who know about the Christian nature of the organisation and feel able to support its aims as a Christian Order.
From the beginning, St John has cared for poor and sick people of all faiths. To the early hospitallers, a sick person represented Jesus Christ, and so was to be treated with the same degree of skill as they would have treated Christ Himself.
This principle – so important to our medical forebears – continues to inspire the Order of St John today: in short, St John is about Christian love in action.
St John County Chaplains
Each County has a Chaplain, who is appointed to provide spiritual and pastoral care to all St John Staff and Volunteers – not least the Badgers and Cadets – within their area. Chaplains, of whatever denomination, are appointed by the Priory Dean, with the consent of the Diocesan Bishop or appropriate denominational Church Leader.