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

Abstract

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.