Rome- New psychological screening implimented to rid church of bad apple priests- quality over quantity is the way its to be done!

(Journey in a Broken World; c.f. News 24 (Secular) 30/10/08; Catholic Culture 30/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Following a series of scandals in the church, the Vatican has implimented and set out new guidelines for psychological screening of priests. News 24 reports that Benedict XVI believes that despite a shortage of priests- quality is better than quantity.

The document also allows for psychological treatment of priests who have been wounded by the world as they prepare in seminary. It forbids that psychologists be part of formation teams- emphasizing that formation of priests must firstly be spiritual, however that when there are problems prior formation, sometimes psychological treatment helps allow spiritual formation to work.

Psychologists are bound by the same ethical oath as elsewhere (in South Africa people can reveal in some necessities as psychologists, vital information, none are reported in our sources on this Vatican bill)- except with consent- they cannot reveal what has been said in therapy by candidates.

The document is in accordance with Canon law's stipulations on the need for priests to be of a certain mold of person.