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A Request for Clinical Pastoral Education from Bratislava, Slovakia
by John Vincent
The following article contains notes of a visit by the author to Bratislava, Slovakia for the purpose of introducing the concept of Clinical Pastoral Education. It became very evident that this country was not only ready for CPE training but clearly understood the distinction between religious and spiritual care.
A four-day exploration trip in Bratislava, Slovakia turned out to be more rewarding than ever expected. The exploration was to examine the viability of offering Clinical Pastoral Education, known in Slovakia as "Spiritual Caregiving". The working group included Dusan Toth, Lutheran Pastor in Toronto, Miriam Prasilova, Advanced CPE student and Chaplain, University Hospital, Bratislava, John Vincent, Supervisor, CPE, Toronto, and assisted by Zuzana Bukovska, Script Writer, Samaritan Program, Slovakian National Television (STV).
The trip was organized by Fedor Bartko, Director, Evangelical Media Program, Slovakia and funded by the Church of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Toronto.
National Cancer Institute
National Cancer Institute where CPE will take place.The group met with Professor Ivan Koza, Director of the National Cancer Institute, a 234 bed hospital dedicated to the treatment of cancer, housing the only 19 bed palliative care unit in the country. We tentatively tested the understanding which Professor Koza and Dr.Krizanova (Medical Director of the Palliative Unit) had in making the distinction between pastoral care that is spiritual in nature and that which is religious. Dr.Krizanova indicated clearly that what was presently being offered in terms of pastoral care was sacramental in nature, including prayers, the Sacrament of the Sick and other rituals of various denominations. Since Slovakia is over 60% Roman Catholic and only 11 years post communism, the Christian churches continue to function in a traditional and historical manner. Pastoral care was experienced primarily ritualistically. It was most interesting that they immediately recognized the distinction between spiritual and religious care, a concept which many religious leaders in North America have yet to comprehend.
In the hospital, Professor Koza identified that the spiritual needs of the patients and family members were clearly evident in his practice. He attempted to care for his patients spiritually, as time permitted, along with a psychiatrist and psychologists who were often called on to address the spiritual questions of patients and family members. We agreed that end of life issues/questions would be most appropriately dealt with by a religious person trained in the art of spiritual engagement.
John introduced the training concept of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and related how one his students, Miriam, was now employed by the Lutherans in Bratislava as a Chaplain offering Spiritual and Religious care to all people. To our surprise, there was an immediate appreciation for CPE and an invitation to John was extended by Professor Koza to use his facility for future training in CPE. A long-term plan was envisioned whereby a trained Supervisor from Slovakia would oversee training in their country.
Together we acknowledged our delight at the prospect and our appreciation for their openness.
Ministry of Health
Martina Simkova Assistant to the Minister of Health and John Vincent.In Slovakia, the Ministry of Health oversees the delivery of healthcare to the country. Martina Simkova, Assistant to the Minister of Heath, indicated her concern to provide appropriate support for a rapidly expanding program of hospice, home care and palliative care. (This was the same day the new Minister of Health, Mr .Rudolf Zajac was being announced after the recent election). Martina also clearly distinguished between the need for spiritual care and the existing expressions of religious care. She supported the concept of CPE and commended Professor Koza for his willingness to engage in this new educational format.
Information about Palliation and Hospice in Toronto was briefly outlined. An invitation for Martina and the new Minister of Health to come to Canada in order to review Hospice work and Palliative Care units was suggested. The offer was warmly received with the details and invitation to follow from the Canadians.
Evangelical Theological Faculty, Comenius University
L-R Miriam Prasilova Chaplain, University Hospital, Bratislava, John Vincent, Dr. Siracky, Director of the League Against Cancer, Dusan Toth Lutheran Pastor in Toronto.A typical Slovakian lunch was offered by the General Bishop, Dr. Rev. Julius Filo and Ingeneer Jan Huba, Director, Evangelica Diakonia. The meeting discussed the direction of Pastoral Care in the theological studies of the Evangelical Lutheran Theological School. The General Bishop oversees the Lutheran Church in Slovakia and Ing. Huba was responsible for the "practical missions" of the church, including Chaplaincy. Both men affirmed the value of funding the first Chaplain, Miriam Prasilova, to hospital work in Bratislava. Miriam is responsible for the spiritual care of all patients and will offer a Lutheran form of worship and sacramental ministry as well.
One of the goals of the Bishop is not only to support the launching of Clinical Pastoral Education, but also to provide the CPE Supervisor with a formal link to a theological School through the Comenius University in Bratislava. Founded in 1919, the Evangelical Theological Faculty came to be a part of the University in 1990. Five-year Masters and PhD programs are offered. It is hoped that, similar to Canada, CPE may be taken as a credit course for the Masters level education.
The Dean of the School, Dr.Kiss, hosted a lecture later in the afternoon where John and Dusan Toth presented, in translation, the experience of a professional Chaplain and described the work of spiritual care. The lecture was well attended by the student body of the Evangelical Lutheran School and much interest was generated for the possible CPE Summer Unit in 2003.
League Against Cancer
L-R John Vincent, Dr. Kiss, Dean of the Evangelical Lutheran School, Dr. Rev Julius Filo, Bishop of the Lutheran Church in SlovakiaA visit was arranged with Dr. Siracky, Founder and Director of the League Against Cancer, a non-profit cancer-awareness and fundraising organization for Slovakia. This organization is the only one of its kind in the country. With a budget over 16 million Sk (approximately 5 million Cdn), the League Against Cancer is making a significant impact on cancer awareness and its prevention, including fund raising events such as Daffodil Day and the Terry Fox Run.
In discussion, it was suggested by the delegation that a Spirituality of Oncology Conference be offered for clinical and religious caregivers. The Foundation would be the main sponsor. Details of the conference would be arranged with local and international Oncology/Spiritual care clinicians.
Merciful Brothers Hospital
The final meeting of the week was held with Dr. Peter Krizan and Sylvia Milosrdni, of the Merciful Brothers Hospital.
Again, a warm reception was offered and the concept of Clinical Pastoral Education was understood and appreciated. An expanding state of the art hospital with 85 existing beds was made available to collaborate with the CPE process and have training on site. With patient-focused care as the central concept, the Chaplain would be involved in the daily work of the medical team. The existing Roman Catholic Priest would work together with a training student to meet the spiritual and religious needs of patients and families in the emergency, surgical/medical units and the out-patient treatment clinics.
Refurbishing the 330-year-old historical building will be complete this year and a new Hospice, gerontopsychiatry, long term care, home health and one-day surgery services will be added.
Throughout the experience, a warm and ready reception was offered and to our delight the prospect of initiating education in Spiritual Care through Clinical Pastoral Education.
John Vincent is the CPE Supervisor at Sunnybrook and Women's College Hospital, Toronto
Posted by editor on September 30, 2003 10:40 AM