Theresa Clement Tisdale, PhD, PsyD, tctisdale@apu.edu, APA Member, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Azusa Pacific University, Department of Clinical Psychology, 701 E. Foothill Blvd., Azusa, CA 91702
Catholic values and principles for advancing interfaith dialogue were articulated in 1964 at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. Promoting respectful and civil discourse while fully engaged in learning about and understanding those of different faiths are key principles. Also of value is the willingness to share one's own perspective and beliefs as well as identifying common ground of shared concerns. Vatican II principles regarding interfaith dialogue will be utilized to discuss ways in which harmony may be facilitated within and across divisions and between traditions of faith. Theoretical, empirical, and clinical literature published in the journals of Divisions 12 (Clinical), 19 (Military), 29 (Psychotherapy), 36 (Religion and Spirituality), and 39 (Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy) has yielded results and resources such as instruments to assess religion/spirituality (12), data on the role of religion/spirituality in the mental health of combat veterans (19), interventions to ethically and efficaciously address religion/spirituality in psychotherapy (29), suggested doctoral training guidelines for cultural competence in addressing religion/spirituality (36), and data exploring the connection between object relations development and God representation (39). Details of key studies will be presented. With data from individual divisions as a foundation, important next steps include synthesizing data from the literature of multiple divisions, promoting cooperation and collaboration between divisions, and applying collective wisdom to facilitate interfaith harmony. Suggestions for productive future collaborations between divisions and households of faith will be offered utilizing principles for interfaith dialogue.
