In July 2005 the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales in the United Kingdom asked Fr. Gerard Fieldhouse-Byrne, MSW, D.Min, MBACP (Accred), to establish St Luke’s Centre, Manchester (SLCM). This psychological and spiritual support centre was modelled on the best practices established for care of clergy and religious by Saint Luke Institute, and applied to the context of the UK and Ireland. From the outset, the Centre has been grounded in the highest standards of care from the psychological, therapeutic, and educational spheres, always integrated with the profound anthropological and spiritual foundations of the Catholic tradition.
Previously, Fr Gerard had spent two years on the staff at SLI, completing a post-doctoral placement. Then-SLI President Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti, PhD., D.Min., and the SLI Board of Directors supported the creation of the Centre and Fr. Gerard became its Executive Director.
Over the decades, the focus of the Centre has been on candidate assessments for applicants to seminary, religious life and the permanent diaconate. Mental health assessments for priests and religious have also been a welcome benchmark of the Centre’s ministry. Building on a holistic approach to assessment of candidates, the Centre began offering long-term educational and individual formation support for men in seminary formation in the UK, Ireland and throughout Europe. The Centre has dedicated professional and support staff who have worked tirelessly over the years earning the highest reputation amongst colleagues and the people they serve.
Even as it marks its 20th anniversary, St. Luke’s Centre is undergoing another important change. At the end of September, Fr. Gerard concluded his tenure as the Centre’s founding Executive Director. After a period of sabbatical, he will be returning to his home diocese of Salford in the northwest of England to take up responsibilities as a pastor. In a farewell message to colleagues, Fr. Gerard remarked, “I can’t believe how the time has flown – some of you will remember how we established the Centre which feels like yesterday. My time at SLCM has been absolutely grace-filled and over the years we have been able to serve clergy and religious in need. I ask your prayers as I look forward to this next stage in my life.”
To fill the role of Executive Director, Fr. Gerard introduced Fr. Andrew Pastore, SI, Dipl. Theol., MA, MBACP, who succeeded him starting in October. Fr. Andrew, who served the past year as Assistant Executive Director of St. Luke’s Centre, is a Schoenstatt priest who hails from the Salford Diocese. Schoenstatt is a movement, active especially in the Catholic Church in Europe, focused on spiritual renewal in the Catholic faith for laity through teaching and other forms of faithful engagement with the world. He brings extensive pastoral, formation, and communications experience to Saint Luke Centre.
Educated in Germany and the UK, Fr. Andrew holds a Degree in Theology and an MA in Clinical Counselling from the University of Chester. Ordained in 1996, he has served in the Schoenstatt Movement, parishes, schools, hospitals, and formation roles in the UK, India, Nigeria, and Australia.
Looking back over the past 20 years, we give thanks to God for this ministry of accompaniment and healing which has touched the lives of thousands of men and women serving the Church in the UK, Ireland and English-speaking world. We look forward to the future built upon firm foundations and open to the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit. As St. Luke’s Centre in Manchester continues its work, let us all pray in thanksgiving for their mission, for Fr. Gerard and Fr. Andrew, and for all of their staff.
This news item is based on narratives compiled from Fr. Fieldhouse-Byrne. To learn more about St. Luke’s Centre, visit StLukesCentre.org.UK. St. Luke’s Centre participates in the mission and work of Saint Luke Institute.
Pope Leo XIV Awards St. Luke’s Centre Duo With ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ for Distinguished Service to the Church
In recognition of their service to the national and international ministry of St Luke’s Centre Manchester, Sr. Eithne Donoghue, CP (20 years) and Sr. Janette Murphy Brown (18 years) have both been awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award by Pope Leo XIV. It was bestowed on the Sisters at a Mass of Thanksgiving on Friday, September 26, 2025 by Rev. Dr. Gerard Fieldhouse-Byrne, the retiring Executive Director of St. Luke’s Centre.
The “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” is a papal award, also known as the “Cross of Honor,” given by the Vatican for distinguished service to the Catholic Church. It translates to “For Church and Pope” in Latin and is one of the highest papal honors that can be bestowed upon laypeople, Religious and clergy. Established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888, it was initially given to those who contributed to his Golden Jubilee and the Vatican Exposition. The award recognizes exceptional contributions to the Church and the papacy.