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E-2 | Psychological Considerations
• Linguistically competent as a result of possess-
ing appropriate language skills or making use of
a good translator (assessments should be con-
ducted in the primary language of the interna-
tional pastoral minister, if possible)
• Interculturally competent, that is, assessors who:
0 Know their own cultural heritage and also
appreciate its impact when working with oth-
ers from different cultures
0 Are aware of how cultural prejudices and
biases can distort the assessment process and
can learn to compensate for such distortions
with appropriate norms of interpretation
0 Seek consultation and/or supervision in
puzzling or difficult situations
It is important to have such qualified persons
identified. In some cases, it may be advisable that a
list of qualified assessors be developed on a regional
basis to help smaller dioceses, eparchies, institutes,
and societies administer a culturally and linguisti-
cally sensitive assessment.
Criteria for Selecting Appropriate
Psychological Assessments
Some culturally and linguistically appropriate psy-
chological instruments are available that do not
depend on the cultural context of the international
pastoral minister being assessed. It is advisable that
whatever assessment instruments are utilized that
they be effective in evaluating the following quali-
ties in international pastoral ministers:
• A mature level of personal and emotional inte-
gration. A psycho-social history interview can
examine and identify key moments in lifespan
development. If, in the course of the interview,
specific concerns about sexual integration and
maturation emerge, then a fuller exploration
of that important dimension of development
is warranted.
• Personal flexibility. Potential candidates should
have the requisite personal flexibility to meet
and deal with new and unfamiliar situations with
serenity and a positive outlook. Candidates should
also demonstrate a willingness and an ability to
adjust and to adapt to new circumstances.
• Empathy. International pastoral ministers
should have the capacity for empathy. An
empathic response to people and situations
gives assurance that the pastoral ministers
would not be exploitative, callous, or manip-
ulative in their interactions with others.
Minors and vulnerable adults may be at risk
when interacting with international pastoral
ministers who lack empathy and compassion.
It should be kept in mind that sometimes an
apparent lack of empathy may be caused by
anxiety or deference. All factors need to be
considered in this assessment.
• Cultural intelligence. The presumption for
ordained and professed pastoral ministers is that
they will demonstrate an acceptable level of cog-
nitive functioning and intelligence to acquire
and understand academic material and to serve
effectively in complex ministerial and pastoral
settings. Similarly, they ought to possess cultural
intelligence or the capability to function effec-
tively in situations characterized by cultural
diversity. For example, cultural intelligence will
enable potential international pastoral minis-
ters to cope with and flourish in culturally dif-
ferent settings, engage in healthy intercultural
interactions, and perform effectively in ethni-
cally diverse pastoral, ministerial, and educa-
tional situations. Potential international pasto-
ral ministers should be able to acknowledge that
behaviors vary according to culture and should
have the flexibility to adapt verbal and nonver-
bal behavior so that it is appropriate for differ-
ent cultures.
• Sufficient psychological health. Potential inter-
national pastoral ministers should be free of
any major pathological conditions that would
either severely compromise or entirely impede
their pastoral effectiveness. Some form of basic
screening for gross pathology is in order. With
appropriate instruments for religiously-minded
people who come from a different culture, it is
possible to accomplish this screening.
• Adequate stress management. Given the inev-
itable stress points that occur when serving in
a different cultural context, it is important that
international pastoral ministers be able to man-
age personal and pastoral stress effectively.
• Healthy maintenance of social boundaries.
Identifying how potential pastoral ministers
maintain social boundaries is a good predic-
tor of their ability to be effective in ministry. If