I WAS happy to learn that the Vatican
released some years
ago a document, “On the use of psychology in the seminary.” It’s about
time that something of this sort be officially recommended by Church
authorities.
Of course, the immediate context of the document was the
clerical sexual scandals that oppressed the Church in many parts of
the world a few years ago and continue to haunt us today.
But it actually possesses a very objective importance,
regardless of circumstances, and a universal coverage that should be
highlighted, especially at these times.
In it, the crucial help that psychology as a science can
give to seminarians and, I must say, to everybody else is traced.
Insofar as seminarians are concerned, the document says that recourse
to experts in the psychological sciences can:
“…allow a more sure evaluation of the candidate’s psychic
state; it can help evaluate his human dispositions for responding to
the divine call; and it can provide some extra assistance for the
candidate’s human growth.”
So you see, psychology is not only for handling mental
problems and illnesses, already a tremendous task. It also contributes
to human growth, which should always be stimulated by every legitimate
means available! We have to overcome a certain cultural bias against
the use of psychology.
By now, everyone should be convinced that our life always
has a psychological dimension. Every virtue or vice has psychological
effects and triggers some psychological dynamics. We should try our
best to know them and use them with due prudence, of course.
We don’t talk about it only when there are problems. We
always have to take it into consideration in all our dealings with
people. That at least would denote a growth in our sensitivity to
others. Yes, the use of psychology can enhance human sensitivity.
Thus, in the seminary some psychological profiling has to
be done of every candidate to the priesthood, noting each one’s
strengths and weaknesses in this aspect, his good and bad potentials,
etc. And a close monitoring of this portrait, given its dynamic
nature, should be made.
I frankly believe that not only the use of psychology
should be promoted but also some serious effort be made to mainstream
the skill and expertise on the part of seminary formators and others
similarly situated in this vital field of knowledge.
We have to drastically rehabilitate the image of
psychology in the minds not only of the Church officials but also of
everybody else. We cannot deny that psychology is still treated like a
leper in the community or the house fool everyone tries to hide. We
have to get out of that antiquated mindset.
At the rate we are developing with all the complicating
and insanity-tending elements around, there’s no way but for
psychology to be duly acknowledged, its need appreciated and its use
spread far and wide.
Again, insofar as its use is relevant to seminary
formation, the document lists down several factors that undermine the
psychological health of seminarians and those asking admission.
“Those who today ask admittance to the seminary,” it says,
“reflect, in a more or less accentuated way, the unease of an emerging
mentality characterized by consumerism, instability in family and
social relationships, moral relativism, erroneous visions of
sexuality….”
I remember some years ago that the then reigning Pope Pope
Benedict said something that today’s youth are a “fragile generation,”
and I could not agree with him more. My everyday experience and
contact with people more than abundantly validate this observation.
There are many people with clearly psychological wounds,
some very deep and grave, springing even from their own family
environment, not to mention, the usual problem areas: pressures from
work, social relations, politics, business, showbiz, etc.
I am no psychologist but that does not prevent me from
recognizing obvious irregularities in the mental, affective and sexual
aspects of many people. These concerns have to be given more effective
attention.
Of course, the use of psychology should not replace the
spiritual and supernatural means that are always indispensable in the
formation of seminarians as well as of everybody else. The practice of
spiritual direction should blend both the psychological and spiritual
aspects of a person.
Psychology should be the constant accompaniment of these
spiritual means, a tool to express and fathom the spiritual
developments, since these always have some psychological
manifestations. Naturally, it should also be an instrument to enhance
the seminarians’ personalities and temperaments.
Thus, a sound psychology should be learned, since there
are many schools of thought in this regard, and not all are good.
ago a document, “On the use of psychology in the seminary.” It’s about
time that something of this sort be officially recommended by Church
authorities.
Of course, the immediate context of the document was the
clerical sexual scandals that oppressed the Church in many parts of
the world a few years ago and continue to haunt us today.
But it actually possesses a very objective importance,
regardless of circumstances, and a universal coverage that should be
highlighted, especially at these times.
In it, the crucial help that psychology as a science can
give to seminarians and, I must say, to everybody else is traced.
Insofar as seminarians are concerned, the document says that recourse
to experts in the psychological sciences can:
“…allow a more sure evaluation of the candidate’s psychic
state; it can help evaluate his human dispositions for responding to
the divine call; and it can provide some extra assistance for the
candidate’s human growth.”
So you see, psychology is not only for handling mental
problems and illnesses, already a tremendous task. It also contributes
to human growth, which should always be stimulated by every legitimate
means available! We have to overcome a certain cultural bias against
the use of psychology.
By now, everyone should be convinced that our life always
has a psychological dimension. Every virtue or vice has psychological
effects and triggers some psychological dynamics. We should try our
best to know them and use them with due prudence, of course.
We don’t talk about it only when there are problems. We
always have to take it into consideration in all our dealings with
people. That at least would denote a growth in our sensitivity to
others. Yes, the use of psychology can enhance human sensitivity.
Thus, in the seminary some psychological profiling has to
be done of every candidate to the priesthood, noting each one’s
strengths and weaknesses in this aspect, his good and bad potentials,
etc. And a close monitoring of this portrait, given its dynamic
nature, should be made.
I frankly believe that not only the use of psychology
should be promoted but also some serious effort be made to mainstream
the skill and expertise on the part of seminary formators and others
similarly situated in this vital field of knowledge.
We have to drastically rehabilitate the image of
psychology in the minds not only of the Church officials but also of
everybody else. We cannot deny that psychology is still treated like a
leper in the community or the house fool everyone tries to hide. We
have to get out of that antiquated mindset.
At the rate we are developing with all the complicating
and insanity-tending elements around, there’s no way but for
psychology to be duly acknowledged, its need appreciated and its use
spread far and wide.
Again, insofar as its use is relevant to seminary
formation, the document lists down several factors that undermine the
psychological health of seminarians and those asking admission.
“Those who today ask admittance to the seminary,” it says,
“reflect, in a more or less accentuated way, the unease of an emerging
mentality characterized by consumerism, instability in family and
social relationships, moral relativism, erroneous visions of
sexuality….”
I remember some years ago that the then reigning Pope Pope
Benedict said something that today’s youth are a “fragile generation,”
and I could not agree with him more. My everyday experience and
contact with people more than abundantly validate this observation.
There are many people with clearly psychological wounds,
some very deep and grave, springing even from their own family
environment, not to mention, the usual problem areas: pressures from
work, social relations, politics, business, showbiz, etc.
I am no psychologist but that does not prevent me from
recognizing obvious irregularities in the mental, affective and sexual
aspects of many people. These concerns have to be given more effective
attention.
Of course, the use of psychology should not replace the
spiritual and supernatural means that are always indispensable in the
formation of seminarians as well as of everybody else. The practice of
spiritual direction should blend both the psychological and spiritual
aspects of a person.
Psychology should be the constant accompaniment of these
spiritual means, a tool to express and fathom the spiritual
developments, since these always have some psychological
manifestations. Naturally, it should also be an instrument to enhance
the seminarians’ personalities and temperaments.
Thus, a sound psychology should be learned, since there
are many schools of thought in this regard, and not all are good.
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