Colm Fitzpatrick
Fr Peter Sexton SJ A chaplain’s job is like a parent’s, writes Colm Fitzpatrick
As Catholic chaplain in Trinity College for the ninth year, Peter Sexton SJ is continuing to try and spread Gospel values and provide support for thousands of students year in, year out.
Born in 1944 in Limerick, Fr Peter is the youngest of three and attended Crescent College, eventually deciding to join the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) at the age of 18. His upbringing had a profound influence on his decision to involve himself in the ministry, in particular, his devout parents and his exposure to religious life in school.
“My parents were very influential, especially my mother. She had a great interest in literature and life – she was a very positive person. She lived to the age of 90, and on her gravestone, is inscribed, ‘God’s work of art’,” he said.
“I spent 11 years in school with the Jesuits, and was impressed by some of them who taught me, so I decided to become a Jesuit priest.”
Between the time of this decision and becoming ordained at 31, he studied Ancient Classics in UCD, taught as a scholastic in Belvedere College, and studied Theology in Canada.
After ordination, he worked as chaplain and teacher in Belvedere for nine years and was subsequently appointed as headmaster in Gonzaga College – an experience which he describes as both “fascinating and challenging”.
In 1990, he was sent to Zimbabwe to accompany young African Jesuits in formation.
“It was a great broadening of horizons. It was a great experience to get a sense of the African world from many points of view,” he said.
“It was very peaceful at that time although there was a culture challenge of living with and teaching with young African Jesuits in a post-colonial era.”
This period away from Ireland was a formative and enriching experience for Fr Peter, and when returning in 1993 he found it tough to acclimatise to a place that seemed so different to when he had left it.
“I returned to Ireland and found re-entry very difficult. The weather and life seemed to be much more confined and narrow. It took me some time to adjust back.”
He then moved to Clongowes Wood College, taking up the post as housemaster and chaplain for the next 14 years, before joining Fr Paddy Gleeson in the Catholic chaplaincy as the first non-Dublin diocesan chaplain.
“My provincial asked me what I was interested in when I reached the magical age of 65 and I told him I’d be interested in being a university or hospital chaplain, and both jobs showed up. I chose the latter.”
The chaplaincy itself is ecumenical, and the chaplains are representatives of the main Churches in Ireland who work together as a team, sharing both the college chapel and the chaplaincy in House 27 for work and worship. Alongside Fr Peter, the Catholic chaplaincy is run with Fr Alan O’Sullivan OP who recently joined the team.
“We are in the same buildings and work a great deal together every week, discuss common problems and have three major ecumenical services every year.
“Trinity is a very pleasant and agreeable place to work. The Provost and the College welcomes the chaplains and there is an important value of the presence of chaplains in the secular sphere,” he explained.
Term
During term time at midday on Tuesdays, the chaplaincy supplies free food for students and also provides details of events and activities that have been organised. Despite this outreach, only a small fraction of students actively involve themselves in the vibrant life of the chaplaincy.
“You don’t encounter a lot of students. We have a hospitality centre in the chaplaincy which is popular and especially popular on the days we offer free food.
“The college is lively and interesting in itself even though the general atmosphere isn’t religious.”
For Fr Peter, the role of the chaplain has changed significantly from his youth, where students, if in trouble or despair, would nowadays speak to a counsellor instead of first talking to a chaplain or priest.
He added that there is a “seeming indifference” to the Gospel values of Jesus Christ and the Church – a phenomena that is becoming more prevalent throughout Ireland.
“Students are still very friendly, and quite open. However, there is, in my opinion, a certain atmosphere at times of political correctness and intolerance of dialogue in the campus on neuralgic issues such as same-sex marriage or the repeal of the eighth amendment. But that’s part of the Ireland of today,” he explained.
“The Church has had many and significant failures but it seems somewhat adolescent to throw out the baby with the bathwater.”
Despite apathy and sometimes even anger towards the Church and religion, Fr Peter is still resolute in sharing the faith and supporting those who need help.
“What is a chaplain’s job? Somewhat like the job of parents: to radiate hope and meaning”, he said, adding that the “first duty of a chaplain is to represent the Gospel and its presence in people’s lives.”
For more information about the Trinity College chaplaincy, see: https://www.tcd.ie/Chaplaincy/.