Psychological Assessment of Homosexual Tendencies in Potential Candidates for the Roman Catholic Priesthood

Songy, David G.

doi:10.1007/s11089-007-0110-1

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Specifically, those of Protestant affiliation have been found more likely to attribute homosexuality to sinful choices (Haider-Markel & Joslyn, 2008), to view homosexuals as "contaminates" in society (Burdette et al, 2005), and are among those most opposed to same-sex unions (Olson, Cadge, & Harrison, 2006). Similarly, the Roman Catholic Church regards homosexuals as intrinsically disordered toward evil (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith [CDF], 1986), requires seminary candidates to be screened for homosexual tendencies (Songy, 2007), and urges the "crucifying" of same-sex attractions in pastoral care (Crowley, 2004). Furthermore, in mental health services, some Christian practitioners may address LGB clients with the presumption that homosexuality is unhealthy, ungodly, and indefensible.…”

Section: Religious Prejudice As a Risk Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex and the sinner: Comparing religious and nonreligious same-sex attracted adults on internalized homonegativity and distress.

Sowe

Brown

Taylor

2014

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

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Homonegative prejudice has long been connected with poor psychological outcomes. These have often been purported to include internalized homonegativity (IH), an outcome regarded as especially detrimental given its association with a large number of adverse mental health correlates. Given the evidence that homonegative prejudice often prevails most strongly within many mainstream religious contexts, the current study examined whether religious lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals would possess higher levels of internalized homonegativity than their nonreligious, and formerly religious, LGB counterparts. To test this hypothesis, Christian, formerly Christian, and nonreligious Australian LGB respondents (N = 579), recruited through social media platforms and a diverse range of community groups, completed an online survey assessing IH; religion-sexuality distress; religious and familial homonegativity; sense of self; and outness. Ordinal logistic regressions revealed that Christian LGB respondents possessed significantly more IH than nonreligious respondents. Furthermore, perceiving greater homonegativity in one's religious and familial environments predicted higher levels of distress and IH among Christians specifically. Despite having apostatized, former Christians still reported greater religion-sexuality distress than nonreligious individuals, suggesting that the psychological effects of homonegative religious environments are potentially enduring. Across all respondents, IH was also greater for males, those who were less "out," and those who possessed a weaker sense of self. Findings generally support the premise that religious homonegativity places LGB Christians at additional psychological risk, with particular regard to IH and religion-sexuality identity conflict, and that both personal and interpersonal characteristics may exacerbate this risk.

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Section: Religious Prejudice As a Risk Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex and the sinner: Comparing religious and nonreligious same-sex attracted adults on internalized homonegativity and distress.

Sowe

Brown

Taylor

2014

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

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“…A comprehensive review of the topic is beyond the scope of this article. Additional reading on this topic can be found in several articles and books (Fernandes, 2013; Glassgold & Knapp, 2008; Plante, 2007a, 2007b; Songy, 2007; Sperry, 2003). The Catholic Church has unique language for sexual orientation that needs to be considered in psychological evaluations of clergy applicants.…”

Section: Frequently Asked Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological evaluations of clergy applicants in the Catholic Church: Answering frequently asked questions.

Isacco¹,

Songy²,

Plante³

2022

Spirituality in Clinical Practice

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Psychological evaluations are a standard component of the admission process for applicants to clergy programs in the Roman Catholic Church. Increased research and scholarship have shed light on the psychological health of clergy applicants. However, practitioners continue to lack clear guidance on salient ethics, cultural competence, and clinical considerations needed to implement evidence-based psychological assessments with this population. The purpose of this article is to answer frequently asked questions about the psychological evaluation of clergy applicants in the Catholic Church. The article reviews the purposes of these specialty assessments, the importance of informed consent and confidentiality, relevant documents issued by the Catholic Church that need to be integrated into the assessment process, and the extant literature that provides clarity about common tests and research that are important for clergy applicant evaluations. As a result, this article fills an important void for psychological researchers and practitioners engaged in professional roles with the Catholic Church.

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“…Indeed, Songy (2007) identified this to be an important aspect of the assessment of clerics. However, as with heterosexuality, if, as in the Catholic Church, a vow of celibacy is taken, then sexual orientation would seem to be a matter of little consequence so long as the cleric’s pursuit of the priesthood was not made to pursue opportunities for gay sexual liaisons.…”

Section: Reasons For Referralmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psychological Assessment of Clerics

Jack

Wilcox²

2017

Pastoral Psychol

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The psychological assessment of novice and experienced clerics is an important component of ordination, suitability, and risk evaluation to ensure that representatives of religious organizations are equipped, motivated, and safe for a life commitment to a faith vocation. It is the authors’ opinion that such assessments should be conducted by skilled psychologists with expertise that covers occupational, clinical, and forensic domains. Further, the authors emphasize the importance of an objective and secular assessment to better inform the church about its role and responsibility for the oversight and spiritual development of the cleric. A thorough psychological assessment should incorporate a multimodal approach to information gathering, which includes a comprehensive review of background information and medical records, a personal history interview, a mental status examination, and administration of relevant psychometric measures and assessment tools. We also advise that, upon completion of the assessment, the requesting religious organization should be offered the opportunity to meet with the evaluating psychologist to discuss suitability issues and, if necessary, risk management planning.

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Psychological Assessment of Homosexual Tendencies in Potential Candidates for the Roman Catholic Priesthood

Cited by 6 publications

References 28 publications

Sex and the sinner: Comparing religious and nonreligious same-sex attracted adults on internalized homonegativity and distress.

Sex and the sinner: Comparing religious and nonreligious same-sex attracted adults on internalized homonegativity and distress.

Psychological evaluations of clergy applicants in the Catholic Church: Answering frequently asked questions.

The Psychological Assessment of Clerics

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