In the last few years, the priesthood has been challenged by crisis and tension. Addressing this crisis, licensed psychologist and director of the Saint Luke Institute stresses that psychology can be effective in enriching the lives of priests, and the priesthood itself, if it works with a basis of spirituality. Rossetti invites priests to recognize the dignity of their calling through honest and psychologically based selfassessmentbecause happiness in the priesthood flows from both wholeness and holiness.Rossetti also highlights the need for systemic changes to coincide with personal conversions. He calls for a change in the culture of clerical life; emphasizes the need for greater accountability, openness and honesty on all levels; demands stronger relationships between bishops and priests; and suggests changes in seminary formation that will address the personal challenges faced by priests.
Author Bio: Fr. Stephen Rossetti is currently the president and chief executive officer of Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, MD, a residential treatment program for clergy and religious men and women. He has a Ph.D. in psychology from Boston College and has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Catholic University. Recipient of a Proclaim Award by the USCCB, he was also a member of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Think Tank on Child Sexual Abuse and was a founding board member of the Saint John's University Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute. He is presently a consultant to the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on child sexual abuse. Fr. Rossetti is the recipient of the Distinguished Priest Award from the John Carroll Society of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC for his significant contribution to health care ministry.
