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	Scandals Trigger Tests for Seminarians By Arlie Calalo Manila Standard November 10, 2008 http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics1_nov10_2008 THE Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has affirmed the need to administer psychological tests for candidates to priesthood in the wake of damaging clerical scandals around the world. Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the CBCP president, said it was imperative for seminary candidates to undergo such tests to avoid qualms in their ability to live a celibate life before they are ordained. The Vatican last week issued new psychological screening guidelines for seminarians around the world. Entitled Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in the Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood, the Vatican document was aimed at helping Church leaders weed out candidates suffering from "psychological disturbances." The document said that candidates for the Catholic priesthood should undergo psychological tests to screen out heterosexuals who could not control their sexual urges and men with strong homosexual tendencies. Vatican issued the guidelines in the wake of numerous sexual abuse scandals that occurred in Ireland, Canada, United States and England. The tests would serve as early detection system to avoid such unfortunate incidents, according to the CBCP. Lagdameo said psychological evaluations among seminaries in the country are not new at least in the San Jose Seminary in Quezon City where he took his theology formation. "Seminary formators should really talk about it (on how to strictly implement it) but this psychological test is already an SOP (standard operating procedure) at least at the San Jose Seminary," he said on Church-run Radyo Veritas Friday. Candidates for the priesthood in the country have undergone psychological tests for years although the screening varies from diocese to diocese, according to Lagdameo. During his seminary days 40 years ago, Lagdameo said that a battery of psychological examinations served as a tool for vocational discernment among seminarians. Such a move is the Church's responsibility to ensure that candidates are suitable for priesthood, Lagdameo said. "Seminarians also had to go through emotional and intellectual examinations," he added. The Vatican document also touched on the role of formators and bishops in identifying and orienting candidates toward a solid psychological and spiritual maturity. The Church is also seeking to provide enough priests especially for parishes in other countries. Pope Benedict XVI said it was significant to have good priests than a greater number of priests.
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