BishopAccountability.org
	Seminarians Learn about How Priests Should Respect Nuns Indian Catholic October 27, 2009 http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/13685-1-10-Seminarians-learn-about-how-priests-should-respect-nuns SAM PHRAN, Thailand : Final-year seminarians have been told they must show greater respect for nuns and women co-workers after a report revealed simmering tensions between the two groups. Priests are accused of being high-handed and disrespectful in some cases and of inappropriate behavior in others, according to Sister Kanlaya Trisopha, former chaplain of the Catholic Commission for Women. Sister Kanlaya was speaking on the issue at a seminar and workshop for about 20 final-year seminarians and nuns about to take their final vows. The event, held in Ban Phu Wan pastoral training center in Sam Phran, west of Bangkok, aimed at helping participants avoid such tensions in the future. Referring to a report on the matter during the Oct. 12-15 meeting, Sister Kanlaya highlighted a case "where a priest, who had a problem with a nun, brought up the issue in his homily and wrote about it in the weekly newsletter." "Even though the priest didn't name the nun, the nun knew he was referring to her and she didn't have the chance to respond." Sister Kanlaya told the seminar that the behavior of clergy sometimes raised eyebrows among the laity, citing a case involving a nun and a priest who worked together daily. "Instead of going home, the priest would take the nun to a recreational spot for dinner and only return to his church late at night. This was questioned by laypeople," Sister Kanlaya said. She said another source of tension came from the way instructions were sometimes given. Her report reveals that some priests do not discuss instructions with nuns and other women co-workers, simply handing them written orders. "From a woman's perspective, this shows disrespect, while men don't see it as an issue," Sister Kanlaya said. Father Chaiyo Kitsakul, rector of Saeng Tham College, the national major seminary in Sam Phran, told participants, "There have been problems between priests and nuns because men and women see things from different perspectives." Priests often use their status, consciously or unconsciously, to dominate others, he said. He called on the seminarians to "listen to others, especially women and nuns." Father Miguel Garaizabal, a resource person for the workshop, told UCA News problems arise when priests feel that it is the duty of nuns to serve them. "This training is aimed at both men and women to respect and fully support each other and build a model of friendship and collaboration," said the Spanish Jesuit priest. Nun participants also shared experiences of inappropriate behavior by seminarians. Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Alicesara Suripa admitted she has "warned" seminarians who "touch us or try to hold our hands." Sornchai Dhipo, a seminarian from Chiang Mai diocese, said he would now be more sensitive toward women co-workers. He recalled an incident in which a new priest, upon arriving at a parish, asked a nun to vacate her office for him. This act soured the relationship between the two. The recent workshop is the eighth in a series of annual dialogue sessions between final-year seminarians and nuns. In future, "we plan to invite lay women Church workers to attend as well," said Father Chaiyo.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.