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E-4 | Psychological Considerations
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.