Guidelines for Receiving Pastoral Ministers in the USA

the role of the evaluator, the purpose of the assessment, the right to confidentiality, and how outcome results will be utilized, shared, and maintained • The availability of written materials in the pri mary language of the examinee, if possible • Access to ethnic, linguistic, racial, and cultural support when indicated • The use of culturally appropriate clinical inter ventions and culturally sensitive standardized psychometric assessment instruments Once the psychological assessment is completed, an oral feedback session with the future international pastoral minister can be very beneficial. The feedback session can be a time to affirm and encourage the minister by naming strengths that he or she will bring to ministry in the United States. At the same time, the feedback session can also be an opportunity to note the challenges and opportunities for growth that may emerge in the course of ministry. This knowledge can be an effective means of preparation for interna tional pastoral ministers as they begin their pastoral service. At the end of the process, a written report will be presented to the responsible church official in the United States and, if necessary, shared with the minister’s competent superior in his or her home dio cese, eparchy, institute, or society. Ongoing Formation of International Pastoral Ministers It is important that the receiving dioceses, eparchies, institutes, or societies commit to the ongoing psychological support of international pastoral ministers. Additionally, these same entities can profitably appreciate that their own understanding of psychology is culturally-based. Growing psycho logical self-awareness is important both individually and collectively. Finally, after serving several years, both the international pastoral minister and the receiving diocese, eparchy, institute, or society can revisit the gifts and challenges that were named in the initial feedback. Together, they can explore what has transpired in the course of the years of service and anticipate either a continuation or revision of pastoral service.

Case Study 3 St. Mary’s Parish in Mayberry is a very large parish that has suffered from a lack of priests. The pastor was delighted when the diocese offered to send him an international pastoral minister, Father K., who had excellent English language skills. The pastor’s delight quickly changed to puzzlement and then anger, as he observed the pastoral and ministerial “style” of his new international associate. Father K. would say his morning Mass, eat breakfast, and retire to his room and close the door. He fulfilled scheduled ministe rial events, such as Masses, funerals, and confessions but did nothing else. He took no initiative to visit the sick or the school. He never greeted people after Mass. And, unless compelled, he did not participate in parish meetings. When the pastor challenged him, he responded that he had fulfilled his priestly duties. This case also illustrates a complex mix of ele ments, which can be difficult to untangle. One could argue that Father K. is operating out of a different and culturally conditioned ecclesiology and out of a sense of parish ministry prevalent in his home country. That may be true to a point, but psychological issues also sug gest themselves as operative. Father K.’s failure to take initiative may be rooted in entrenched patterns of pas sivity in his personality. His rigid adherence to previous patterns, which may not have been entirely acceptable even in his home country, suggest personal rigidity. Frequently Asked Questions Q1. Can psychological screening identify future problems that might arise in the ministry and life of an international pastoral minister? A1. The predictive value of screening is limited. In other words, psychology cannot say that a person will act one way or another. Were psychology to have accurate predictive ability, it would be able, for exam ple, to identify future criminals and criminal activity. Psychological screening can indicate dispositions for certain forms of behavior. More importantly, it can also indicate the personal resources that one brings to life situations. In other words, psychology can help us understand how individuals can adjust and adapt either well or poorly to various life circumstances.

E-4 | Psychological Considerations