CLBA Journal 1999-2005

SELECTING PRIESTS

Beware of the unscrupulous!

Over the years many persons seeking a spiritual path in our religion have asked for guidelines on how to select a priest. Before you deposit your vulnerable psyche and confidence on a particular priest or priestess use the following guidelines. We believe the material will reduce the possibility of encountering an inappropriate experience. Keep in mind there are three main religious divisions. They are like denominations which differ to some extent within the same religion: (a) Yoruba indigenous is the original religious center. In its pure form adherents do not mix their religious symbols and practices with other faiths. (b) In brazil it's called Candomble, a colonial name, where some adherents do mix their religion with the Catholic religion by way of syncretism, while others do not. (c) Cuba’s colonial and academic influence established the misnomers Santeria and Regla de Ocha. A more accurate identification is Lukumi/Ayoba. As in Brazil some adherents are syncretic while others hold to the traditional form without mixing with Catholicism. Our perspective at the Church is not syncretic. For more information read our page on sycretism located in the " contemporary" category. A parallel is found with Palo, Espiritualismo, and Umbanda. These all differ from each other.

A new form of guidance is provided through Internet web site's, board, chat, and private membership site's. Most are a personal web site. Cyberspace presents a new risk challenge. Anyone can create a web site and hide behind a fictitious name. Moreover, they can present themselves as experienced priests or you could fall pray to a scam.

Parallel to the cyber experience is the go to Cuba or Nigeria trend for ceremonies. There are serious travel & religious considerations to be made before making the journey to these countries. Just because a priest is willing to take you their doesn't mean being free from problems. What may appear to be cheap and exotic can result in a chaotic situation. Take your time and get well informed before taking this path.

GUIDELINE

• Get the names of those who trained the priest or priestess in question.
• Formulate questions related to qualifications.
• Determine how and why they selected his or her senior priests’ over other choices.
• Inquire about the specific religious lineage, contributions to the faith, and community.
• Ask about resources. Does the priest or priestess make use of referrals? If not, ask why?
• In the area of experience, ask what common types of cases are handled.
• Ask and observe the diversity of students and devotees seeking guidance.
• Determine what professional qualities other than priesthood they may have.
• Beware of those who want to make you dependent. Guidance and free will is the way.
• Evaluate attitudes. Is he or she humble? Egocentric? Grandiose?

Years of Priesthood Can Be Misleading!

• Name-dropping may be used to impress you falsely. This could affect your decision.
• Determine how substantial was his or her contact with those mentioned.
• Be a good listener. Draw the line between gossip and third party information.

Your Decision-Making Requires Time!

Beware of "quick-fix" spirituality. Problems and remedies are typically of a long-term nature and are rarely quick or simple in solution. Those who want to receive it can achieve spiritual enlightenment, but it requires time and a willingness to sacrifice for it. The journey begins with a realistic assessment of yourself and your spiritual goals.

If the spiritual goal is only relief of a single problem, then the "quick-fix" approach may be useful. But it can be costly, and it only focuses on relief of symptoms. Quick-fix spiritual treatment does not offer a remedy for the causes of the problem and ignores prevention. This means that you are most likely to experience a reoccurrence of the principles that cause you problems. For example, having the ability to acquire jobs and love relationships versus the inability to sustain it for long periods.

Quick fix may provide a temporary relief, but there is a good chance that stability will not hold for very long. What is really needed is an alternative process that evaluates the condition and aims to remove its cause. This would require a long-term effort in your part and specialized assistance from a well-qualified priest or priestess. In the long run, it is less costly than quick-fix methods and prevention becomes the ultimate goal.

Your decision-making process requires a good assessment of your needs. Make sure that your prospective priest or priestess can provide you with the quality intervention process that is required. Expectations should be clearly defined before treatment begins.

Additional Considerations

• A true Olorisha priest or priestess is a professional spiritual person at the service of his or her religion and community. As in any profession, he or she possesses both a general and a specialized knowledge. Their attitudes and lifestyles should reflect their priesthood.

• Ask about his or her resources for acquiring religious knowledge.
• Inquire about how they were trained, how long in training, and who trained them.
• Try to speak with current devotees for references on teaching and service quality.
• Evaluate his or her willingness to pass on religious knowledge to devotees.
• The dedicated enjoy teaching. Inquire about the method used and how to begin your learning process. Is it a formal, well-structured method involving classes, or is it an informal learn as you go approach?
• Determine if he or she has a crisis intervention system with long-term objectives. If not, he or she may be restricted to quick-fix crisis intervention. If the answer is yes, inquire about this point and make sure that the long-term objectives are suitable.

Ceremonies Are Binding

Formal ceremonies such as baptism, the receiving of orishas, and priesthood ordinations are binding. They all require two priests or priestesses functioning as your chosen formal spiritual guides for life named godparents. This bonding of responsibility means that you will become part of their religious group and will be expected to follow their norms. Before you commit yourself make sure that you understand the norms and responsibilities. Make sure they tell you what their responsibilities will be. This is not a simple decision for you. Forming part of a group first requires an understanding of the godparent's characters and how compatible they are with you. Then the question of compatibility needs to be answered in the group setting. The group is expected to function as an extended family with respect and tolerance. As extended family everyone is expected to help and support each other as the needs merit. The godparent has the difficult task of keeping the family together and prosperous. Remember you are the one choosing them, they do not choose you. Visit the pages on Spiritual Genetics in the " ancestral" category; Effects of Spiritual Intrusion at the "healing" category. These will provide useful information!

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