The Pope's recent visit to the UK may have been hailed as a huge success, but the trip was preceded by controversy - not least claims that the Catholic Church has failed to address issues raised by historic sexual abuse claims.
However, similar scandals could be avoided by using psychometric testing in the selection of future priests, according to a Vatican document.
Released a couple of years ago, the document was prepared by the Congregation for Catholic Education and approved by Pope Benedict XVI and was entitled Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in the Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood.
It said the use of psychological consultation and psychometric testing was appropriate in exceptional cases that present particular difficulties in seminary admission and formation.
The document also said the psychological sciences can be useful not only in screening troubled candidates for the priesthood, but also in accompanying seminarians through their vocational journey, particularly for those who need to overcome psychological wounds.
In reviewing candidates for admission to seminaries, psychological experts should also be called upon whenever there is a suspicion that psychic disturbances may be present, it said.
Such problems may include disproportionate aggression, incapacity to be faithful to obligations, incapacity for openness and trust, inability to cooperate with authority and confused sexual identity, the document said.
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