UHK Marks a Century of Compassionate, Person-Centred Spiritual Care

University Hospital Kerry will host an event on Friday September 12 to mark its commitment to Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), a training programme which helps individuals learn how to provide emotional and spiritual support.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) commemorates its 100th anniversary in 2025 marking a century since its inception in Boston in 1925. It is now a global movement, training spiritual care providers to offer empathetic support to individuals during times of illness, crisis, and transition.

UHK first introduced CPE in 1990 under Rev Dr John Quinlan, and the hospital has played a key role in nurturing spiritual care professionals. After a hiatus, the programme was revitalised in 2023 under the guidance of Dr Margaret Naughton, reaffirming UHK’s commitment to holistic patient care.

Dr Naughton said:

“University Hospital Kerry (UHK) is proud to be part of this legacy. CPE is a practical training programme that helps individuals learn how to provide emotional and spiritual support, particularly during challenging moments such as illness, grief, or crisis. It combines classroom learning with hands-on experience in clinical settings. With guidance and supervision, participants learn to listen deeply, reflect on their own beliefs and emotions, and develop the skills needed to care for others with compassion, understanding, and respect, regardless of faith or background.”

At UHK, the CPE programme is accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Ireland and the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board (HCB). Offered three times a year, each 12-week module includes education, supervision, and clinical placement, equipping participants with the necessary skills for effective pastoral ministry.

On Friday, UHK will host an event to honour the impact of CPE on healthcare and spiritual care practices. This event will highlight the programme’s contribution to patient well-being and the professional development of spiritual care providers. Healthcare professionals, community members, and anyone interested in spiritual care are invited to take part.

The event will run from 1pm to 4pm, and will include mass in the hospital chapel at 1.10pm followed by brief address by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Norma Foley and Deputy Michael Healy Rae Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. A plaque to mark the event will be unveiled at 4.15pm.

See UHK social media accounts for more.