Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

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Appendix C: Cultural Considerations in Ongoing Formation

with the people is just as important to his ministry as a program for accent modification. Second, accent modification is best addressed by speech pathologists and not by language instructors. Although language instructors might ask students to listen to and repeat words in the target language, speech pathologists possess the expertise and tools to assess the individual’s formation of sounds and then teach exercises to modify how the individual makes the basic sounds that serve as the foundation for pronunciation in the target language. 221 CULTURAL SENSITIVITY OBSERVATIONS 296 Food and Hospitality: The diversity of the US presbyterate has intensified. Whereas nineteenth-century US clergy might have come from a variety of European cultures, twenty-first–century priests come from every part of the world. In rectories, food can be a source of cultural conflict; missionary priests might find US cuisine unappetizing or unhealthy, and US-born clergy might object to the smells or flavors of foods from other places. The conflict points to the centrality of food tastes in culture. Most human beings have deep associations between food and home that form an important part of a sense of well-being. In addition, many cultures have strong ideas about the role of hospitality in acknowledging affection or the dignity of the other. If ongoing formation leaders wish to express their commitment to honoring the various cultures among a given presbyterate, then shaping the hospitality and menu to acknowledge and honor those cultures communicates a powerful sense of respect and belonging.

221 Speech pathologists who work with English speakers are widely available in the United States. US based priests who study a language other than English may find it more difficult to identify a speech pathologist to assist them. In such cases, they may find it advisable to seek long-distance assistance using video technology. Accent modification assistance can be costly for a diocese and/or parish; the bishop will have to use his best judgment in helping his priests within his means.

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