A Necessary Conversation: A Gathering of Experts
More than one hundred specialists from the fields of priestly formation and psychology gathered at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary for a landmark conference from June 14 through June 18, 2010. Registrants from across the country and around the world included formation personnel, seminary staff, faculty and treating and assessing psychologists of varying experience levels to openly discuss what is necessary to carefully and effectively select candidates for priestly formation.
Nationally-recognized author and award-winning expert on the integration of psychology and spirituality, Len Sperry, M.D., Ph.D. and Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada opened the week-long event as keynote speakers. Additional experts from all related disciplines and professional roles spoke during the five-day span, as well. Psychologists were eligible to earn as many as fifteen (15) continuing education credits for psychologists through the American Psychological Association through the efforts of the Saint John Vianney Center.
Special recognition goes to Reverend Monsignor David Diamond, Reverend Patrick Welsh and the staff of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary as well as Reverend Gerard McGlone, S.J., Ph.D., Mr. Edward Maguire, LCSW and the staff of Saint John Vianney Center for their tireless efforts in organizing and presenting the conference. Plans are in the works for another in a series of collaborative conferences. Officials say they are targeting either late May or early June, 2012. Formal details will soon be announced.
