Mission Matters Issue 3 Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 18
Dedicated: The current cohort of CPE students (from l to r) Fabian, Seán, Gijo, Pauline O'Dowd, Director, Philip, Mark & Patrick
Clinical Pastoral Education @ The Mater is far more
than classroom compassion. At its heart, is
understanding real patient experience, advises
Q&A
Director of the CPE Programme, Pauline O’Dowd
1. For those who may not be
familiar, how would you describe
Clinical Pastoral Education - and
what makes it different from
other forms of training for
ministry?
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a
method of reflecting on actual
ministry in which a certified
supervisor (trained in the CPE model
of learning), together with a group of
students (normally six), formally
reflect critically on the students’
ministry as a means of growing in selfawareness, professional competence,
theological understanding and
Christian commitment. Unlike
traditional classroom only learning,
CPE requires 200 hours of direct
engagement with patients, families
and staff, which makes up fifty
percent of the programme.
2. What is the biggest
misunderstanding about
healthcare chaplaincy?
Many assume chaplains are only there
for religious rituals, but chaplaincy is
about providing emotional and
spiritual support to patients, families
and staff of all faiths and none.
Chaplains listen compassionately as
they accompany people through crisis,
respecting individual beliefs and
needs.
3. CPE is often described as more
than a course - as a process of
formation. What changes do you
typically see in students over the
duration?
During CPE, students tend to become
more self-aware, empathetic and
confident in their pastoral presence.
They learn to listen deeply and
respond thoughtfully to those in crisis.
Many grow in emotional resilience
and humility, discovering their
strengths and limitations while
developing a genuine capacity for
compassionate care in challenging
environments.
4. What kind of people are drawn
to CPE, and what qualities tend to
help someone flourish in it?
People attracted to CPE are often
those who wish to integrate faith and
practice and those who hope to
explore how their theological beliefs
impact their caregiving and how their
experiences in caregiving inform their
understanding of faith. Those who
flourish tend to be self-reflective,
open to feedback and willing to
engage with others’ pain and
vulnerability. Flexibility, empathy and
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