Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., speaks about the Institute for the Psychological Sciences
This is a pre-released statement from the forthcoming promotional video about the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, recorded in May 2009.
Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., is Director of the Office for Spiritual Development for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York, host of the EWTN program “Sunday Night Live with Fr. Benedict Groeschel,” one of the founders of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, author, retreat master, and adjunct professor at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences.
“What we need is a Catholic psychology that stands on its own. It’s sad to say that in many so-called Catholic colleges and universities, there is no real good relationship between psychology, philosophy, and religion.
The Institute that we have, without any apology at all, goes right at presenting a psychological understanding and technique as well as the Catholic faith, and it’s beautiful. I couldn’t imagine anything I’d be more pleased with.
The Institute, with no apologies, has a straight-forward, honest application of psychological understanding within the context of the Catholic faith.
Here we have a graduate program with no apologies for Catholicism. Consequently, Catholic donors or devout non-Catholic, non-Christian supporters can be sure they’re using their funds to really assist people to gain psychological insights into their own personal growth, which includes their growth in spirituality and the relationship with God and the truths of God.
100% this is a cause I’m completely in favor of.
IPS – our Institute – is right there at the start; we are part of the new view of American Catholicism. By no means something from the past, this Institute is a pioneer work, and I think we will see more and more effects with this.
In parts of the Catholic community there was a negative attitude toward psychotherapy and counseling… Right now though, anyone taking a negative view of psychology would be completely out of the past.”