"An important chapter of sacerdotal training, which had already acquired a particular importance in the Seventies of last century, especially in the Anglo-Saxon world, concerns the use of psychological competences in the process of vocational distinction. We know that the use of those competences has become compulsory in a great number of dioceses for candidates wishing to enter the seminary". Msgr. Jean-Louis Bruguès spoke those words this morning, at the Vatican, during the presentation of the document on the training of presbyters. Msgr. Jean-Louis Bruguès is the secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education. The archbishop recalled that "the study on the use of psychological competences for the admission and training of the candidates to priesthood had already been started over thirty years ago, by the Congregation for Catholic Education on behalf of the Secretariat of State. The ‘Explanatory Note’, sent by the Secretariat of State and attached to the Letter of Card. Villot on 19th November 1975, underlined the defence of the intimacy of the human person, before any kind of possible violation". Therefore, it is an attention paid in the long run, which certifies the seriousness through which the Church intends to take advantage of psychological sciences, "as part of a vision of faith".
