Formation program help Burmese Church workers deal with aspiring candidates

Yangon, Myanmar – The significance of taking part in dialogues with candidates is one of the lessons priests and nuns involved in formation work have learned from an ongoing training program.

Twenty candidates from seminaries and religious formation houses in the 12 Myanmar dioceses are participating in the three–year program that Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng of Mandalay initiated in March 2003.

Between full–time training sessions each year from March to May, the priests and nuns meet every three months for two days of sharing and discussion. The latest of these two–day sessions was held Oct. 18–19 in Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly Maymyo), near Yangon.

The program is designed to build the candidates’ expertise in the areas of spirituality, counseling and human sexuality. Counseling is this year's focus.

A number of the priests and nuns shared that the training helps them deal with young candidates in a "systematic and effective" manner.

During the recent sharing they broke into small groups of three people to practice listening and positive reinforcement. They also evaluated and discussed the effectiveness of their counseling techniques.

Father Simon Tin Maung, rector of Yangon archdiocese's St. Joseph's Minor Seminary, said he has seen seminary candidates develop well when they discuss "causes and effects" of errant behavior. He described this dialogue method as more effective than punishment.

Based on his experience, he said the dialogue method encourages students "to confess" their shortcomings. He added that it also helps him accept and understand the candidates so he can help them develop their talents.

According to the priest, the training program has challenged him to re–evaluate his counseling methods. He said he is glad he overcame his initial reluctance and decided to join the program.

Father Augustine Tin Maung Htun of Mandalay archdiocese’s St. Thomas Pre–major Seminary echoed the Yangon rector's assessment of the value of dialogue in promoting young people's growth.

As an example he said that rather than scolding a student who breaks something, it would be better to talk to him about how to safeguard that item. If the student is scolded, he may be more careful the next time to avoid being punished or criticized, but this does not teach him the value of the particular object or how to decide what is important, the priest added.

Sister Carlista said that if the students do their work well, young will become efficient missioners for the Church in the future.

During 2004, Sister Josephine of the Franciscan Missionary of Mary is the training facilitator. The next session will be held in January 2005.