SEMINAR FOR BISHOPS ON PSYCHOSEXUAL INTEGRATION AND CELIBATE LIFE

I was invited to address the Catholic Bishops of India at a seminar on “Priests for Our Times- the Role of Bishops” organised by National Vocation Service Centre, Pune from 17^th 21^st October. The topic assigned to me was “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Life.”

There were 33 bishops from all the three Indian Rites.

The topics I explored with the Bishops included: Some contemporary challenges such as general immaturity among priests, celibate loneliness, clericalism, sexual harassment and sexual abuse, healthy formation process and environment, rethinking vocation recruitment, assessment and accompaniment of candidates to the priesthood, training of formators, spiritual direction and the need to put in place policies and procedures to prevent sexual abuse by the clergy, to deal effectively with allegations of abuse and to care for victims of abuse.

The workshop helped the Bishops to address more seriously the issue of Psychosexual and Celibate Integration priests and candidates to the priesthood.

SEPTEMBER OUTREACH

September 5-10.  Programme for Formators - Puri

I facilitated a five-day programme for formators of the Orissa region at Ishopranti Ashram, Puri, Orissa. It was entitled “Healthy Formation Environment and Some Challenges.” There were 19 participants including rectors of seminaries and novice mistresses.

The programme began with a reflection on how participants felt about their ministry of formation and the formation process in general. The person of the formator, the formation environment, healthy psycho-sexual and celibate integration were some of the topics explored.

“The programme helped me to look at myself. I received helpful information and insights about myself and the formation process,” observed one participant.

“The topics were very well presented,” commented another.

“All formators should undergo a programme like this” was a suggestion made by several of the participants.

September 12-14. South Asian Formation Commission Meeting - Kolkata

I was an invitee at the Meeting of the South Asian Formation Delegates from the various Salesian Provinces. Besides the delegates, the meeting was attended by Fr. Francesco Cereda, the Salesian General Councillor for Formation, Fr. Chrys Saldanha from the Formation Department at the Salesian Generalate in Rome, Fr. Loddy Pires, the Chairperson of the South Asian Formation Commission and Fr. E. A. Thomas, the Salesian Provincial of Kolkata.

On 13^th I explored the theme “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” in an interactive workshop. I presented some of the current challenges in the area of psychosexual and celibate integration and pointed out implications for formation.

The programme was held at the Salesian Provincial House in Kolkata.

September 19-24. Retreat for Priests- Varanasi.

 Facilitated a retreat for priests at Nav Sadhana, Varanasi from September 19 to 24. There were 36 priests from the diocese of Varanasi, Jamshedpur and Gumla.

The retreat focused on the identity and ministry of the priest as “Bearer of the Mystery of God and Doctor of the Soul.” The retreat – content and format - was much appreciated by the participants.