“How do we create ways for priests to share their struggles, to create a sense of community and support?”
-Fr. Yulius Sunardi, SCJ
What factors predict whether a man will stay committed to the priesthood?
This has been Fr. Yulius Sunardi’s question for the past two years as he researched the theme of his recently defended doctoral thesis: “Predictive Factors for Commitment to the Priesthood: Insights for Seminarians and Priests in their Vocation Journey.”
On November 19th he presented the results of his research to seminarians and faculty at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
The single most significant factor in a man’s commitment to the priesthood?
Loneliness.
It isn’t the only predictive factor, but it is a critical one.
Fr. Nardi didn’t just name the issue and move on. In bringing it to the seminarians’ attention he said that “I am giving you responsibility for it. If you don’t act on this information, if you don’t give this priority, you will struggle. Loneliness is a part of the vocational journey and it is up to YOU to determine what you do with it.”
But not “you” alone, as an individual.
“Loneliness cannot be handled alone,” he continued. “We must work together, not just to be happy, but to survive.”
Bishops, religious superiors and fellow priests need look at ways of helping priests feel less lonely. “Loneliness is a vulnerability that we all need to acknowledge,” said Fr. Nardi. “Now the question is, what do we do with that? How do we create ways for priests to share their struggles, to create a sense of community and support?”
A seminarian asked about religious life –– was Fr. Nardi suggesting that priests in religious communities might have less of a sense of loneliness than diocesan priests living on their own, covering two or more parishes?
Just as a marriage counselor reminds couples that a person can be married and still feel lonely, Fr. Nardi said that living with others in community isn’t an inoculation from loneliness.
“People can live in the same house and still feel lonely,” he said. It takes commitment to build and maintain community regardless if the community lives under the same roof or if community support is found among people in several locations.
However, in stating that Fr. Nardi also noted the practice of many bishops in his Indonesian homeland who encourage their priests to live in community. It’s not uncommon in Indonesia to find mixed houses of diocesan and religious priests living together.
“Community doesn’t necessarily happen when you put people together in the same house, but it helps,” said Fr. Nardi when questioned after his presentation.
Other topics that Fr. Nardi touched on included variables identified by personality tests such as the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory). Surprisingly, he said, those who are identified as having a strong sense of “defensiveness” often have a better commitment to the priesthood.
This is counterintuitive to what has often been thought by those reviewing potential candidates for the seminary and religious life.
“What has been defined in the MMPI as defensive may instead be a sense of resiliency,” said Fr. Nardi, “something that is a positive predictor in commitment to the priesthood.”
Fr. Nardi will receive his doctorate in psychology from Marquette University on December 13th. Four days later he returns to Indonesia. Starting in January, he’ll work with seminarians at a theological institute in Yogyakarta. Fr. Nardi plans to eventually replicate his doctoral study in Indonesia to learn if cultural differences will affect the results. He also hopes to open a counseling practice, focusing on priests and religious. He did such work in Indonesia after earning his master’s degree in clinical psychology from Marquette in 2004.
Is he anxious to go home?
“Yes, but I will miss the USA,” he said. “The US Province has been very generous to me during my time of study. It has been a long, slow journey and I am grateful to everyone here for their support –– SCJs and others who are a part of the community.
“I hope that the work that I have done can be helpful.”
