Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

GOFP 297

Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

297 Language: Although the diocese may not be able to offer programming in all the languages of a given presbyterate, if a significant number of the clergy come from one or more language groups, planners will find it useful to somehow acknowledge their presence. This might take the simple form of offering greetings in more than one language or including the language in the liturgy. In some instances, inclusion may mean developing an entire educational program or priest’s retreat in a language other than English. Even those priests from other cultures who have worked in the US setting for years will appreciate the opportunity to pray and reflect in their first language, if it is not English. 298 Program Topics: Listening is a key component of intercultural competency. Any effective program will listen to its constituency in seeking presenters and selecting topics for programming. In a culturally diverse presbyterate, the listening must include priests from different cultures. The diocese is recommended to include priests from the various cultural groups of the presbyterate on any board or consultation for planning ongoing formation. 299 Emotional Well-Being, Psychological Evaluation, and Therapy: Psychological testing and therapy are culturally bound. If these tools are employed for priests who arrive in the United States from another country or who belong to a cultural subgroup within the United States, special care is necessary to avoid the pitfalls that may occur when a man is evaluated in a language other than his first language or is evaluated by a professional who lacks knowledge of his culture of origin. In such cases, it is possible to pathologize cultural attitudes. Evaluations might also be skewed, or therapy may not be as effective. Whenever possible, a priest should receive evaluation and care in his first language. When not possible, the evaluator or therapist at least needs familiarity with the man’s culture of origin.

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