ENHCC
European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy
Health Care Chaplaincy in Ireland
Sr Pat O'Donovan
Pat O’Donovan is the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board representative with the ENHCC. She is the current Chairperson of the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board. The board is responsible for the Certification of Catholic Healthcare Chaplains in Ireland, and for the Accreditation of Clinical Pastoral Education Centres. Successful completion of three units of Clinical Pastoral Education is required of candidates who are pursuing certification in healthcare chaplaincy in Ireland. Clinical Pastoral Education Centres are at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin; The Mater Hospital, Dublin; St. John of God Hospital, Dublin; Cork University Hospital, Cork; St. Luke’s Home, Cork; and Belfast City Hospital, Belfast.
Pat is a former Director of the Clinical Pastoral Education Centre at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Ireland. She retired from that position at the end of 2009, but has continued to be involved with the development of chaplaincy and clinical pastoral education. Prior to being Director of CPE at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, she was Director of CPE with Roper St. Francis Healthcare in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. She is a board certified chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains in the USA, and with the Association of Professional Chaplains in the USA.
Ray Gately
I have been chaplain at Merlin Park Hospital Galway for almost six years. Before that I worked in the Royal Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital Dublin. I have been on the National Executive of NAHC Ireland for five years.
There are many issues facing us in Chaplaincy in Ireland. Care of the Dying is a major ongoing development at present. Ministering in a multi-faith society, the ethical issues in medical care, and personal care of chaplains are other relevant issues. The economic crisis also is a great concern, both for patient care and for staff.
Ms. Kathleen O’Connor Thompson
Kathleen O’Connor Thompson represents the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (Ireland) Ltd, with the ENHCC. ACPE(I) Ltd is responsible for the facilitating of programmes of clinical pastoral education in Ireland. ACPE(I) accredits supervisors in pastoral education.
Kathleen also represents Ireland on the European Council of Pastoral Care and Counselling.
Kathleen is currently Director of Clinical Pastoral Education at Cork University Hospital, in Southern Ireland, where she facilitates three programmes of CPE each year. She is a certified chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains in the US and a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counsellors and an associate member of the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP).
[September 2008]