Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Programme starts in Karagwe Diocese

Rev. Santrer Kimm from Namibia is the only female pastor in this 12-weeks-programme which is taking place at the hospital in Nyagahanga
Nyakahanga.- The Clinical Pastoral Education is the theological and professional education for ministry that provides an opportunity for theological students, ordained clergy, doctors, nurses, member of religious orders and other qualified lay persons to learn ministry under a structured supervision of qualified and certified supervisor. The African UEM member churches’ CPE program has started at Nyakahanga Hospital of the ELCT Karagwe Diocese since January 2010 with 9 participants from DRC, Rwanda and Tanzania. Cameroon and Botswana did no send participants. These participants are from CBCA, CADELU, EPR, EER, KAD, NWD, ECD, and ELCRN. The 12 weeks programme is under the supervisor Rev. Lermy Lwankomezi who is a certified CPE supervisor in the region.

The trainings on CPE program was officially inaugurated on 21st February, 2010 by Bishop Dr. Benson Bagonza of the ELCT KAD during the short ceremony held at Nyakahanga Hospital of the ELCT KAD where all participants, supervisor and the Hospital administration were invited.
In his welcome note to the Bishop Dr. Bagonza who was the guest of honour, the CPE supervisor Rev. Lermy Lwankomezi mentioned some values of CPE trainings “...Generally almost all institutions need a trained chaplain because people in all institutions experience various crisis such as: Loss, anger, stress, frustration, burn-out, indecisiveness, conflicts of interest, dilemmas, questions and doubts. They need a trained Chaplain/Pastoral counsellor to accompany them in those difficult times.”

The guest of honour Bishop Dr. Benson Bagonza expressed his sincere thanks to the UEM for supporting this CPE program and chose KAD to host the program. The Bishop asked all participants and their supervisor to feel free while at Nyakahanga Hospital and if there is anything that they want to know they should ask without any doubt. The Bishop also assured them the good cooperation and assistance from the Hospital administration and the diocese as well.

The Bishop Dr. Bagonza continued with addressing the CPE participants by saying “We are very happy to have this program here due to the fact that CPE is the tool for spiritual restoration. Nowadays most of the people have many spiritual problems than social and economical problems. Most of the people have life style related problems rather than medical related problems. So we need CPE professions to work together with medical professions” Using Psalm 40:1-2, the bishop emphasized the need to return to God if one is in crisis, be it caused by oneself or by others. But in order for one to return to God, a counsellor or a chaplain is needed. He said, it is naïve to think that all ordained pastors are automatically chaplains or counsellors. A specialized training is needed and this CPE is the one.

Bishop Dr. Bagonza ended his speech by mentioning five challenges that is facing African Churches and institutions, Nyakahanga Hospital being one of them. Those challenges are: Lack of commitment, Laxity and laziness, Lack of professionalism, Rampant materialism and developmentalism, and Corruption.

Rev. Santrer Kimm (on the photo) from Namibia is the only female pastor in this program and she said “I am happy to be among CPE participants this year, it is the program which needs me to be more committed on time so that I can fulfil all my assignments and I feel joy to minister the patients. I hope this program will strengthen my ministry.”