In an era marked by histories of abuse and secrecy that afflict the Church, a religious sister bears an ethical obligation to disclose the truth regarding humanity. For an extended period, the notion of the “spiritual self” has served as a veneer concealing a fragmented “human self,” thereby fostering an environment in which repression is erroneously equated with holiness. Nevertheless, as the Church in Africa confronts a modern era that demands transparency and safeguarding, traditional approaches to religious training are under scrutiny.
In a recent webinar hosted by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN), in collaboration with the Association of Religious Formators of Kenya (ARFK), Sister Linah Siabana, MSOLA, a Zambian psychologist and Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa currently serving on the front lines in Northern Uganda, presented a compelling challenge to the prevailing status quo. She contended that psychosexual integration is no longer a matter of luxury but a fundamental necessity for the sustainability and integrity of ministerial responsibilities.
It is no longer appropriate to require our candidates to forsake their human qualities upon entry. Vows do not negate our biological nature; rather, they necessitate a more profound integration of it, she stated.
“Vows do not negate our biological nature; they demand a deeper integration of it.”
Moving beyond the spiritual bypass
Sr. Siabana challenged the long-standing practice of “spiritual bypassing,” wherein candidates are encouraged to address profound emotional or sexual difficulties exclusively through extended periods of prayer within the chapel. While acknowledging the significance of prayer as a foundational element, she emphasized to the audience that blood circulates through our veins irrespective of our vows. She distinguished clearly between celibacy and repression, highlighting that celibacy should be characterized by intentionality and regarded as a conscious expression of love, rather than a fearful suppression of one’s true self.
The participants’ interventions highlighted the tension between traditional piety and psychological reality. When asked how to handle sexual drive, Sr. Siabana was refreshingly direct, stating that we must move toward “emotional literacy.” This involves teaching candidates to name their loneliness, attraction, and frustration without the paralyzing grip of shame. She emphasized that sexuality is a God-given energy for love and service; when it is ignored, it becomes a shadow that manifests as addictions, secret lives, or boundary violations.
“Silence in the name of purity is a breeding ground for abuse.”
Confronting trauma and the misuse of authority
A crucial aspect often neglected in traditional formation is the recognition of past trauma. Sr. Siabana pointed out that many candidates who join religious life carry unresolved wounds or histories of abuse. Failure to reconcile these fragmented aspects of identity may lead to their reemergence via the misuse of authority—where ministry is exploited to fulfill unmet emotional needs.
Furthermore, it is important to note that “Silence in the name of purity is a breeding ground for abuse. When we refuse to name the reality of our bodies, we leave the vulnerable defenceless.”
The dialogue became particularly pointed when addressing the cultural taboos that treat sexuality as a “sacred silence.” In many African contexts, silence is equated with purity, but Sr. Siabana argued that this silence is a breeding ground for abuse. She cited a heartbreaking case where a sister’s report of inappropriate touching was dismissed by a superior as “provocation.” To counter this, she called for robust safeguarding frameworks in which reporting mechanisms are transparent, and whistleblowers are protected, insisting that we must value the truth over institutional optics if we are to heal.
A mandate for professionalized formation
The pathway ahead requires a radical shift in how we form our brothers and sisters. In collaboration with organizations such as the ARFK, PACTPAN aims to help formators become not mere disciplinarians but mentors proficient in fundamental human development skills. This approach includes structured workshops employing role-plays to address real-world boundary situations, such as managing attraction to a colleague or navigating power dynamics with senior authority figures.
It also requires a commitment to professional referrals, recognizing when a candidate needs a psychologist rather than a confessor. Furthermore, the ministry must ensure authentic accompaniment, in which one-on-one direction is a safe space, free from conflicts of interest that arise when formators act as both judges and guides.
“The goal of formation is not to produce ‘perfect’ people, but to foster honest, self-aware persons who live their vocations with integrity,” she said.
“The goal of formation is not to produce ‘perfect’ people, but to form honest, self-aware persons who live their vocation with integrity.”
Our lifelong journey of integrity
Psychosexual integration is not simply a goal achieved at the time of final vows; rather, it constitutes an ongoing journey towards becoming “authentically growing and self-aware individuals.” For the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the broader Church, the message is clear: we can no longer expect our trainees to set aside their humanity. By cultivating a formation environment that is both psychologically informed and spiritually profound, we help our religious live out their vocations with joy and authenticity. Following a challenging past, the silence is ultimately being broken, paving the way for a more honest, human, and sacred Church to emerge.
