Wiccan Chaplain

Dr. Heather Botting O’Brien

Email: hbotting@uvic.ca

Heather belongs to a multi-traditional faith community. This is a provincially registered faith community and marriages are performed there by herself and Ms. Michele Favarger who works at UVic’s Student Financial Aid Office. This faith community is involved in the local hospital Chaplaincy programs as well.

The International body, which is also registered provincially, and is the body that is sponsoring Heather for the Chaplaincy, is named the Aquarian Tabernacle Church . They took this name about 15 years ago in the US . They are active in Australia , Germany , Ireland , the US and Canada . Their Arch Priest was the President of the Washington State Interfaith Council for 2 years. They also participate in many Prison Chaplaincies in the US .

As part of Heather’s involvement in the student life of UVic, she offers support for the Thorn and Oak Pagan Student's Club.

The main focus of Heather’s Chaplaincy duties on campus is to give support to students who identify themselves as Wiccan because there is not often a lot of family depth or background in this faith tradition. Heather feels that because of past persecution, many followers of Wiccan are ‘in the closet’ with friends and family. She is experienced with grief counselling and has had extensive counselling experience in the Prison Chaplain.

Aquarian Tabernacle Church

Duncan BC Phone: 1-250-746-7646