Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, was invited to facilitate
a workshop on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” for the priests
of the diocese of Bareilly, UP, on 11th December.
Almost all the priests of the diocese and the bishop, a
total of about 70, participated. Parappully introduced the workshop observing
that reflection and research on failure of catholic priests in recent years in
regard to living their celibate commitment faithfully had concluded that the
Catholic church had done a very poor job in preparing its priests to live a
life of chaste celibacy.
The Salesians of Don Bosco have tried to address this lacuna
by publishing a two volume book “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: A Handbook for Religious and Priestly Formation” (which got sold out in 10 months!) of which Parappully is the primary editor. He would present a section of that
book at the workshop.
Parappully focused on “Sexual Boundary Violations” and
presented data on Dual Relationships, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Abuse - both
Child Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Abuse and their implications.
At the end of the Workshop, Fr. Royal Anthony, who spoke on
behalf of the participants said that the workshop had come at a very opportune
time, had helped them to reflect on these very important issues and realize the
need to address the issues in helpful ways. The workshop, he said, had been facilitated
in an excellent way.
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