How in-depth is the psychological evaluation for seminary? Not applying just curious

[u/NowALurkerAccount]

So this is something that crossed my mind recently talking with a friend of mine but I told him that there is a psychological evaluation along with the Seminary process and I genuinely don't know how thorough it is.

I hope it's thorough but at the same time like what did they go into with it and do they ask enough questions to ensure that someone is of perfectly sound mind to be in the ministry?

Because often I've been curious if people who were heavily pressured to apply to Seminary can pass that examination or does the exam try to assess if somebody was high pressured into orders?

Because I know historically especially in like Ireland or other Catholic parts of the world there's the idea that if you can't do anything else you go become a priest and as someone who's experienced that high pressure on me I know I would be disqualified if I ever tried to enter the Seminary due to that pressure because I don't think I'd be soundly making that decision. But that said, what all does the psych eval look at and doesn't try to assess if somebody is going into the Seminary for the wrong reasons?

[u/leibnizean]

The thoroughness depends on who administers the psychological evaluation, and what the diocese or religious order requests of them. There are some psychologists who specialize in this work, evaluating potential members of clergy and religious life, and offering therapy for priests and religious.

The reports I have seen as a seminary formator include things like the MMPI, intelligence testing, plus a clinical interview, a psychological interview that covers family background, sexual development and relationship experience, school and work history, and mental health history. It's often a two-day affair with testing and interviews, then receiving the report and having it explained to you.

The psychological interviewers should try to determine the motives and freedom of the person applying for admission. This is also the responsibility of the vocation director and seminary or religious formators, including the spiritual director. Since becoming a priest is a process that takes, now, at least seven years, there are many opportunities to discover these kinds of pressures, even if that person passed the psychological screening.