Vocational Evaluations

The Alpha Omega Clinic and Consultation Services is devoted to serving the Church through providing evaluations of those in or applying for religious life or ordination.  

Philosophy

The AOCCS' philosophy of evaluation includes both a commitment to serving the needs of the diocese, order, or religious superior who is requesting an evaluation, as well as assisting the individual being evaluated to better understand themselves   and prepare for their calling.   We feel that this two-fold obligation allows us to both inform and protect the Church by helping to ensure that those in or interested in religious life have the psychological maturity to commit to their vocation.   Furthermore, we endeavor to provide superiors and others responsible for the religious and human formation of members/candidates with adequate information about the psychological and emotional strengths and weaknesses of the persons under their direction to allow them to be most successful in their efforts.   On the other hand, we also strongly respect the dignity of the persons undergoing evaluation.   Typically, in consultation with religious superiors and vocation directors, we attempt to arrange a manner whereby the person evaluated is able to receive sufficient information and feedback that they will have the opportunity to benefit or grow from the evaluation.  

Approach

Because members of the clergy or candidates for religious life are in a unique position to represent the Church, AOCCS believes they deserve a comprehensive and accurate evaluation.   The psychologists at AOCCS, through their experiences is conducting evaluations of candidates for religious life and current clergy, have developed a standard process for approaching referrals for vocational evaluation.  

The standard process includes both a thorough battery of standardized psychological tests and comprehensive personal interviews to assist in the determination of candidates' appropriateness for the priesthood or religious life.   This process, however, is adapted to the unique needs and experiences of the particular diocese, order, or religious community which is requesting the evaluation.   For example, the characteristics of an ideal applicant may vary depending upon whether the vocation is contemplative or active, lived singly or in community, or involves academic work or focused on pastoral concerns.   The Alpha Omega Clinic encourages the requesting persons to discuss their unique needs with the psychologists prior to finalizing what will be included in the evaluation.  

A unique aspect of our approach is the use of a team approach to the evaluation.   Typically, two different clinicians are involved in the evaluation process.   The purpose of this approach is to provide the least risk that individual personality styles will unduly impact the evaluation.   We feel it provides the applicant or clergy the most objective evaluation that can be conducted, and thus can prevent the need for second opinions and re-evaluations.   Because we evaluate both male and female religious, and have both male and female clinicians, we rely upon the order, diocesan, or superior's discretion regarding what combination of clinicians will best provide the information they seek regarding the candidate or clergy member.  

An additional aspect of our approach is the option of having a preliminary review of the report with the applicant or clergy member being evaluated.   In our experience, this has been an efficient use of time, as the clinician is able to review the 'raw data' from the interview and standardized testing in a dialogue with the applicant that often sheds light on important aspects of their functioning, allowing them to explain in an appropriately personal manner the way in which the data 'fit' them, or perhaps are potentially misinterpreted because of their unique circumstances.   In this way, prior to sharing the report with the superior or vocation's director, the clinician is able to refine their opinion and present a more precise vision of the person whom they are considering.  

For more information on the evaluation process, please contact Dr. Frank Moncher at 703 418-2111, extension #2.