THE OLD CATHOLIC MISSION IN SUSSEX

Peter Southgate, Pastoral Assistant
MICM DHyp MBSCH

Peter’s passage of faith started some years ago when he was a chorister at St Luke’s Church, near Queen’s Park, Brighton.  Leaving school at an early age Peter went on to join the Royal Navy, where he continued his education and interest in religion.

After travelling extensively throughout the world Peter spent two years in the NATO Headquarters in Naples where he converted to Roman Catholicism and launched into working closely with Naval Chaplains to organise retreat weekends for families; serving at Mass, including High Mass with the Roman Catholic Bishop to the Forces.  His leadership skills proved to be very useful when working with the teenagers in particular at the retreat weekends.  Peter subsequently gained his commission through the ranks and embarked upon furthering his religious beliefs and charted a new course as an officer.  Sadly, illness forced Peter to retire early from the Navy and he safely navigated his way into the harsher commercial world, becoming a senior credit manager with blue chip companies and working as a self-employed business consultant.  He also gained an Office of Fair Trading Licence in Debt Counselling, which he deployed very successfully with company employees, calming their troubled waters.

Peter admits to becoming disenchanted with his faith for a while but events occurred to bring him back on track and heading on a new course; becoming a Pastoral Assistant within the NCAC/OCCE (which he is calling his new ship) for St Cuthman’s!

Peter is trained as a clinical hypnotherapist, which also encompassed formal counselling skills, involving psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

So, armed with his extensive management, leadership, organisational, presentation and counselling skills Peter is really looking forward to working his passage and assisting the St Cuthman of Sussex Mission into becoming a safe and welcoming anchorage for all!