A new book Miscarriage & Stillbirth the changing response A resource for families, those in pastoral ministry and healthcare providers, will be launched by Minister for Children Brian Lenihan, on Monday 15 September 2003 in the Adelaide & Meath Hospital, Tallaght, at 6.00 pm.

Written by the Revd Bruce Pierce, formerly Church of Ireland Chaplain at the hospital, this reader friendly book examines the impact on a family following the death of a baby, either near the time of birth or earlier in the pregnancy. In the past this unique loss often went unacknowledged with the parents being encouraged to forget their baby and 'try again.' This book addresses the importance of marking the experience, however short it may have been.

Bruce Pierce explores the nature of grief and the significance of ritual as part of the grieving process and offers liturgical resources from Christian traditions, from other faith traditions and from various support groups.

As care for the bereaved is now provided by a multidisciplinary team, the important role played by each profession is examined.

Bruce Pierce is presently Palliative Care and Research Chaplain at the Toronto General Hospital, which earlier in the year made headlines during the SARS outbreak. His wife Carol is an oncologist, engaged in cancer research in Canada. They have one son Luke. The Pierces hope to return to live in Ireland when Carol's present research is concluded.

Miscarriage & Stillbirth is published by Veritas in association with APCK. This is the first joint publication by Veritas, a leading Catholic publishing company, and APCK, its Church of Ireland counterpart.