A new therapeutic and educational centre for Catholic priests and religious in Britain and Ireland has been opened.
St Luke's Centre is based at a former convent in Whalley Range, Manchester. The four-storey Victorian building has 14 bedrooms, eleven en-suite; conference facilities; chapel; and community room.
The centre offers psychological assessments, outpatient therapy, spiritual direction, consultation and conference facilities, candidate assessment and educational seminars.
The director is Rev. Dr. Gerard Fieldhouse-Byrne, a priest of the Diocese of Salford who holds a master's degree in Clinical Social Work and a doctorate in counselling from Boston University.
Those of us who are called to serve in ordained ministry and religious life need the support, encouragement and a sustaining sense of who we are. Often, we can forget this. We can get so caught up with being for others and giving to others. There are times when we need to be reminded that we need to receive as well, Â says Father Byrne.
There are times when priests and religious experience difficulties in their lives. These might be burn out, anxiety, depression, addiction to alcohol, or just a feeling of having hit rock bottom. We are here to help.
St Luke's does not provide long-term residential treatment. If necessary, this will be offered either at a location chosen by a bishop or religious superior or at St Luke's Institute, Maryland, USA, a leading residential treatment and educational centre for priests and religious.
For further information phone Greg Watts on 020 7901-4804 or e-mail
or visit http://www.stlukescentre.org.uk