Assessing Deacon Applicants: A Process for Interviewing Applicants’ Wives

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Description: 

This presentation describes a method that enhances the process of evaluating applicants to the permanent diaconate. The method involves interviewing married applicants’ wives and intends to reveal additional facets of each applicant, his wife, and his marriage.

The goal of the process is to enhance Formation completion rates. The program includes:
-interview questionnaire guide 
-notetaking instrument for therapists to use during interviews
-matrix of wife's view of her marriage for easy recording and reporting
-categorization of wives’ attitudes towards their husbands’ being ordained as Deacons
-reporting package to share findings with Diocesan stakeholders ((Arch)Bishop, Diaconal Directors, Admissions/Scrutinies Committee)

Category of Education: D1.1 Assessment/ Evaluation, Intervention

Intended Audience: 

• Psychologists 
• Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors
• Clergy/Religious

Content Learning Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives:

• Conduct a thorough and valuable interview of Deacon applicant wives, using a sound and established process which fulfills or exceeds (Arch)Diocese standards.
• Assess, Compare, and Identify which wives/ couples might be adversely affected by entering, participating in, and/or completing Formation
• Prepare accurate reports for the (Arch)Bishop, Formation Director(s), and Admissions & Scrutinies Committee members