Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity among Clergy: How Spiritual Directors can Help in the Context of Seminary Formation

Abstract

As the Church looks toward the future, it must invest in prevention of sex addiction and abuse by its clergy and focus, in particular, on the sexual education and personal development of seminarians and those who participate in their formation. This article investigates four ways seminary communities can develop effective methods of preventing further sexual abuse by clergy and emphasizes the critical components of formation programs and the role of the spiritual director.