Ferns Seminarian completes CPE at Cork University Hospital Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a multifaith action, reflection, integration form of adult education that is provided in a supervised context where adult peers reflect on their experience of ministry and seek to draw on and integrate new insight for more effective ministry. Each unit of CPE is 400 hours of clinical work, teaching input, interpersonal group and reflective learning that takes on average 12 weeks to complete. CPE is a well-established internationally recognised foundational building block for pastoral ministry and is an important part of education for professional healthcare chaplaincy. In addition it is also a key component of seminary training at St Patrick’s College Maynooth as part of a Pastoral Year. This year we were delighted to welcome Ferns seminarian Billy Caulfield to be part of our team where in Ireland’s largest university teaching hospital Billy with his peers availed of a wide breadth of clinical experience as they developed their personal, pastoral and professional skills. Our CPE students working with the multidenominational Chaplaincy Team also provide a valuable ministry to patients, their loved ones and to the staff community of the hospital. It is also an opportunity for students to learn ‘on the job’ from the considerable skills of the team in a supportive way. Billy and his colleagues received their CPE certificates at a Graduation ceremony at Cork University Hospital on 26 June. Photograph 1 shows L-R Canon Daniel Nuzum CPE Supervisor in training, Cork University Hospital, Mr Evin O’Brien, the Rev’d Bruce Pierce, Chairperson ACPE(Ireland) Ltd, Mr David Vard, Mr JA McNamara, CEO, Cork University Hospital Group, Fr Martin McAlinden Director of Pastoral Studies, St Patrick’s College Maynooth, Mr Billy Caulfield, Sr Mary Jo Corcoran, Director of CPE, Cork University Hospital. Photograph 2 shows L-R CPE Graduates Mr Billy Caulfield, Ms Anita Treacy, Mr David Vard, the Rev’d Anne Skuse & Mr Evin O’Brien.
