WEBVTT 00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:06.480 K. 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:17.935 So this afternoon, I'm here with Bishop Michael Burbage, who is the Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, which is the, I guess you'd say, the seat diocese for Divine Mercy University. 00:00:18.235 --> 00:00:26.475 And, first, just wanna thank you, Bishop Burbage, for your time to be with us today and, talk a little bit about DMU's mission. 00:00:26.475 --> 00:00:26.700 Sure. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:26.940 Sure. 00:00:26.940 --> 00:00:28.080 Thank you, father Sikorsky. 00:00:28.140 --> 00:00:38.480 As I often say, you've heard me say it many times in public, Divine Mercy University is a is a crown jewels, a treasure, within our diocese. 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:43.775 I'm so grateful, for the beautiful work being carried out, Divine Mercy University. 00:00:43.775 --> 00:00:48.915 And I'm so glad, so happy, that the Diocese of Arlington is is a place you call home. 00:00:49.135 --> 00:00:50.255 Well, thank you to Crown Jewel. 00:00:50.255 --> 00:00:51.875 We really appreciate your encouragement. 00:00:51.935 --> 00:00:55.100 And, you know, you've been with us for some significant events. 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:56.560 You've been to our graduation. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:01.280 You've been we inaugurated our, Grotto To The Blessed Virgin Mary. 00:01:01.900 --> 00:01:05.820 And then you were recently with us, for a mass with the students Right. 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:06.620 Not too long ago. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:09.165 And the blessing of the new office or the new university. 00:01:09.305 --> 00:01:09.465 Yeah. 00:01:09.465 --> 00:01:10.265 He blessed he blessed. 00:01:10.265 --> 00:01:15.865 He had the blessing of the new of the new university when he first moved in and made sure he blessed the fundraising office twice. 00:01:15.865 --> 00:01:15.945 Yes. 00:01:15.945 --> 00:01:16.105 Yes. 00:01:16.105 --> 00:01:17.545 Reproduction of holy water there. 00:01:17.545 --> 00:01:17.705 Yeah. 00:01:17.705 --> 00:01:22.185 This is not a this is not a fundraising video, but, you know, he was gracious to do that. 00:01:22.185 --> 00:01:22.685 Absolutely. 00:01:23.940 --> 00:01:34.760 So, Bishop, another diocese recently finished its strategic plan, and one of the priorities that was marked out in that strategic plan was mental health. 00:01:35.665 --> 00:01:46.085 Could you talk a little bit about what what made the diocese put that in there as as a priority, mental health, you know, for for the the mission of the diocese? 00:01:46.305 --> 00:01:46.545 Sure. 00:01:46.545 --> 00:01:47.970 It was the people of God. 00:01:48.130 --> 00:02:14.235 It was the people of God because in formulating our strategic plan, we did, close to a 100 listening sessions, as well as surveys, because we wanted the strategic plan not to come from the diocesan offices down, but to come from the people, that we are so privileged to serve as we strive to meet their pastoral and their spiritual needs. 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:31.125 And so over and over again, we heard from, the faithful that the need to address mental health issues would be one of the greatest ways the diocese could support families and family life. 00:02:33.025 --> 00:02:42.165 Because people would often say if it's not our immediate family, there's someone in our extended family who is dealing with a mental health issue. 00:02:42.705 --> 00:03:01.145 And if the church is desiring to be present, with an issue that is impacting, so many lives, then this is an issue that we have to become more involved in, as we decide how we're going to use our resources to help others. 00:03:01.145 --> 00:03:02.765 So it really came from the people. 00:03:03.305 --> 00:03:04.105 So that's interesting. 00:03:04.105 --> 00:03:12.185 So the people themselves are asking the church or asking the diocese here in Arlington for more mental health services, which is kind of interesting. 00:03:12.185 --> 00:03:13.930 They didn't go to the state, Right. 00:03:13.930 --> 00:03:15.210 They didn't go to the county. 00:03:15.210 --> 00:03:17.070 They decided they went to the church. 00:03:17.210 --> 00:03:27.630 And, so you must see something connected to mental health that where faith and and the Catholic approach to it would make a difference. 00:03:29.215 --> 00:03:30.415 What are your thoughts on that? 00:03:30.415 --> 00:03:35.535 That that, you know, if you go for mental health services, the need for integrating that with the Catholic faith. 00:03:35.535 --> 00:03:53.120 And that was also, father, a message that was repeated, over and over again For a long period of time, the diocese has been involved in mental health, work, especially through our Catholic charities and making sure that counseling was available. 00:03:54.075 --> 00:04:02.015 And yet, the awareness of what the service provided, by the Catholic church is out there. 00:04:02.155 --> 00:04:16.820 That we are not dealing only with experts in mental health and clinical issues, but we are coming from a perspective, rooted in Catholic anthropology, the Catholic view of the human person. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:22.515 And our pastors, including the faithful, have also repeated this need. 00:04:22.815 --> 00:04:34.770 We need more Catholic counselors, therapists, or those who understand the human person from a Catholic perspective, to whom we can refer our parishioners. 00:04:35.390 --> 00:04:45.410 Because sadly, many of our parishioners are, involving themselves or seeking help for their children, through other counseling services. 00:04:46.035 --> 00:04:52.355 Where when that Catholic anthropology understand human person is lacking, it's not helping. 00:04:52.355 --> 00:04:55.015 In fact, it's it's somewhat detrimental at times. 00:04:55.155 --> 00:05:05.980 And so this is why there is this plea, and I I would say literally a plea, for us as a Catholic church, as the Diocese of Arlington, to be more involved in this ministry. 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:22.695 I've heard I've heard that there are many wonderful priests here in the diocese and talking to them as well, I've gotten that same sense that they really are looking for people, for therapists and counselors who who understand not only the faith, but but the Catholic perspective on life, on happiness, on flourishing. 00:05:23.955 --> 00:05:32.970 As a bishop, what ways or what kinds of situations, if you could give an example or two, where you really see that that can make a big difference in a person's life? 00:05:32.970 --> 00:05:33.210 Sure. 00:05:33.210 --> 00:05:45.265 And just a word or a comment about our priests, in understanding that, they have been trained philosophically, theologically, and have been given, you know, some courses, in counseling. 00:05:45.325 --> 00:05:55.950 But the key and and they understand as well is that as certain situations, we've reached a point where that's beyond my expertise. 00:05:56.490 --> 00:06:13.995 And so they'll be able to say that, that at this point, what you need is someone who has the training, in this work, who is an expert matched with this this Catholic, theology, that would accompany, the counseling. 00:06:14.295 --> 00:06:20.155 And so, you know, the the need surfaces, on on many levels. 00:06:21.310 --> 00:06:35.315 The need for counseling in, you know, people dealing, with addictions, all kinds of addictions, whether it's, drugs, alcohol, pornography, the list continues. 00:06:35.375 --> 00:06:44.015 People are being, in this in this day and age with so many temptations, so many, things that get control of people. 00:06:44.015 --> 00:06:59.670 How do you how do you help people, with addiction, spiritual affliction, of course, those who are have been victims of, sexual abuse, whether it be by clergy or, coaches or volunteers or or or whatever. 00:07:00.450 --> 00:07:17.245 And these are areas where, we have reached a level where someone with, the the training is is so necessary and the priests want to be able to have a confidence when they refer people, to counselors. 00:07:17.545 --> 00:07:17.865 Right. 00:07:17.865 --> 00:07:19.005 The priests need confidence. 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:22.220 You know, something Saint John Paul the second wrote once. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:35.415 He was speaking to a group of psychiatrists and psychologists, and he mentioned that in the confessional, the priest has to be careful not to cross into areas where he it's none of his expertise and vice versa. 00:07:35.415 --> 00:07:35.655 Right? 00:07:35.655 --> 00:07:39.895 And the professionals shouldn't get into spiritual or things as well. 00:07:39.895 --> 00:07:51.620 So that working together with priest, priest and therapists collaborating and and sometimes that can be very helpful, where you have the priest talking to the therapist to try to help someone through a very difficult situation. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:52.400 Excellent. 00:07:52.400 --> 00:07:53.140 That combination. 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:56.900 And then again, that's our understanding of the human person too. 00:07:57.280 --> 00:08:00.900 Spiritual, emotional, you know, bodily. 00:08:02.225 --> 00:08:05.045 It's the whole person that we try to help. 00:08:05.585 --> 00:08:09.525 And, of course, this is the mission of Divine Mercy University is to is to give that training. 00:08:09.745 --> 00:08:14.645 There are courses in theology and philosophy, philosophical anthropology. 00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:25.100 Would there be a need in the Catholic schools if someone's aspiring to study, say, at Divine Mercy University and they wanna work as a school counselor? 00:08:25.400 --> 00:08:28.860 Do you see that as something that would be helpful for the diocese? 00:08:29.080 --> 00:08:37.945 I'm smiling, as you speak, because last night, and yesterday afternoon, I were at two events in our diocese. 00:08:38.165 --> 00:08:45.305 One was at a Catholic school, a visit I had, and the other was a Catholic charities event. 00:08:45.605 --> 00:08:52.300 And on both occasions, as of yesterday, that plea was made to me, bishop. 00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:54.960 And it was directly referred to Divine Mercy University. 00:08:55.020 --> 00:08:59.760 I was going to tell you after our interview here today, but we might as well share it now. 00:08:59.885 --> 00:09:07.425 Is Bishop, is there any way Divine Mercy University could consider, training people to be school counselors? 00:09:07.885 --> 00:09:16.760 Because we know with regulations and things like that, for someone to go into the school as a counselor, not just as a social worker or or whatever. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:20.360 I'm sure there's that training that needs to be given. 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:43.305 And, Divine Mercy University surfaced in our conversations and said, our schools, across the board, post COVID, and the toll that that has taken, on certainly faculty and parents, but in a, you know, in a powerful way, sadly, on students is very significant. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:10:03.075 And the students the number of students seeking counseling in the school community, has increased, many times related to, stress and anxiety, sometimes despair, and also with relationships. 00:10:04.415 --> 00:10:07.395 But our schools, we don't have enough school counselors. 00:10:07.880 --> 00:10:11.500 And of course, in our Catholic schools, we want those who are Catholic school counselors. 00:10:11.880 --> 00:10:17.020 So I think there is a, a new wing, might be considered there at Divine Mercy. 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:25.515 Well, so I'm happy you said that, you know, we're not as fast as the diocese in getting our strategic plan finished, but that's one of the things that we've been talking about. 00:10:25.515 --> 00:10:28.395 And it'd be interesting to follow-up on that. 00:10:28.395 --> 00:10:28.635 Yeah. 00:10:28.635 --> 00:10:31.355 And I know my team would be very happy to work with you on that. 00:10:31.355 --> 00:10:31.855 Yeah. 00:10:33.435 --> 00:10:36.715 As a bishop and you're a former rector of a seminary. 00:10:36.715 --> 00:10:37.215 Right. 00:10:38.770 --> 00:10:49.510 To what degree and how do you see psychology helping in things like priestly formation and then later on priestly life, just helping priests be persevere in a vocation? 00:10:49.730 --> 00:10:55.225 And is there for someone who might aspire to to help and help serve priests? 00:10:55.525 --> 00:10:57.465 Do you have any thoughts on on that? 00:10:57.525 --> 00:10:58.025 Sure. 00:10:58.085 --> 00:11:03.625 It's really a blessing in what has evolved or has developed in seminary formation. 00:11:04.300 --> 00:11:21.435 There was a time, certainly when I was in the seminary, but also when I was an administrator seminary, where there was not a real appreciation for the role of psychology, psychotherapy, counseling. 00:11:22.135 --> 00:11:25.195 There wasn't the understanding, that was necessary. 00:11:25.255 --> 00:11:39.300 It was almost a necessary evil, rather than something that should have been integrated into the life of the young man preparing for priesthood and one day God willing something he would need as a priest. 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:43.935 Fortunately, thank the good Lord, we are way beyond that right now. 00:11:44.975 --> 00:11:53.875 When you talk about psychology, psychotherapy, counseling in seminaries now, it's seen as a very valuable tool, a very valuable resource. 00:11:54.255 --> 00:12:19.475 One reason is because many of the young men studying for priesthood right now, have been recipients of that ministry in their own lives, where fortunately, there has been a shift in people being able to acknowledge, the need for help, the need, the understanding of how important it is to be transparent, to admit one's struggles and say, I can't do this myself. 00:12:19.855 --> 00:12:28.930 And so now, these are the same men preparing for priesthood to say, I wanna be able, to, in a sense, give back what I have received. 00:12:28.930 --> 00:12:39.030 So please incorporate within our seminary formation, some of these tools on a basic level because they're there, of course, as you know. 00:12:39.330 --> 00:12:47.195 The curriculum is very heavy on theology and, philosophy and and all the things that are necessary, but please give us some training. 00:12:47.975 --> 00:12:50.475 And I'm I'm so pleased to see this shift. 00:12:51.415 --> 00:12:51.655 Yes. 00:12:51.655 --> 00:13:08.910 You know, and and I think there was a lot of skepticism in the church over the, you know, over the decades, almost a century or so, maybe from the time of Freud where you have a sort of hardcore, almost atheistic approach to psychology where it was seen as a way in some ways as a replacement for faith. 00:13:08.910 --> 00:13:09.410 Right. 00:13:09.605 --> 00:13:11.945 But I think there are a lot of good things that have been happening. 00:13:13.765 --> 00:13:15.925 The trends are pointing in the right direction. 00:13:15.925 --> 00:13:20.025 There's one there's an area called positive psychology, which stresses, virtues. 00:13:20.165 --> 00:13:20.645 Mhmm. 00:13:20.645 --> 00:13:27.840 There's also a new thing, the narrative psychology, more of like telling the story of a person's life and putting fitting everything together Right. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:40.945 Into one and it's on a secular level, but you can kinda square that with, hey, God has a plan for your life and that you can learn from your faults and even your sins can can help you become better longer term. 00:13:40.945 --> 00:13:42.945 And so it goes very well with faith. 00:13:42.945 --> 00:13:45.605 So there are some really good things happening in the field. 00:13:46.225 --> 00:14:04.665 And and that's that's part of what we're trying to do in in Divine Mercy University is take take all the good that's there, and and give it the right orientation so that more people can, can benefit from it and actually can be a tool that helps to evangelize and helps to strengthen the kingdom to build the kingdom of Christ and strengthen the church. 00:14:06.825 --> 00:14:10.185 So you've had quite a bit of interaction so far with Divine Mercy Universe. 00:14:10.185 --> 00:14:18.685 What would you say is do you what is the thing that strikes you the most about our students and and and what we're doing that that can be of help to the church? 00:14:19.020 --> 00:14:19.260 Sure. 00:14:19.260 --> 00:14:25.660 I certainly it's very easy to sense the culture in which the students are learning. 00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:33.015 It's a very professional, and there's definitely, the spiritual pervades the the whole atmosphere there. 00:14:33.095 --> 00:14:36.395 So that's noticeable from the moment you walk into the doors. 00:14:37.335 --> 00:15:05.975 And then when you begin in on my visits to engage the students, you see a real love of God, love of the church, a desire to be faithful, a desire to be faithful, wanting to understand how we counsel and guide people in the truth and in love because that's ultimately the only way we're going to bring about healing is is in the truth. 00:15:06.515 --> 00:15:13.095 And that desire for them wanting not only the knowledge, excuse me, but also the tools to do so. 00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:14.880 I see a great passion. 00:15:15.260 --> 00:15:20.240 I see a great zeal, for the work at hand and and certainly commitment. 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:22.060 I know it's hard work. 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:25.120 I mean, what what they're being prepared for is very, very important. 00:15:25.565 --> 00:15:43.490 And so the the bar, the standards have to be high, understandably, but you understand that these are, people who are very dedicated and fully immersed in the work so that they can really excel, in a in a beautiful ministry and vocation, that God is entrusting to them. 00:15:43.950 --> 00:15:44.450 Yeah. 00:15:44.670 --> 00:15:45.230 Well, thank you. 00:15:45.230 --> 00:15:45.550 Yeah. 00:15:45.550 --> 00:15:46.990 That's that's we try to do the best. 00:15:46.990 --> 00:15:47.950 We have they have to be good. 00:15:47.950 --> 00:15:59.965 We have to be good scientifically, but also serious and good, devout in our faith and and our principles and virtues and all those kinds of things because if we wanna evangelize, it's it's not good enough just to be a good Catholic. 00:15:59.965 --> 00:16:00.205 Right. 00:16:00.205 --> 00:16:02.065 We have to be good at what we do. 00:16:02.125 --> 00:16:02.625 Exactly. 00:16:02.765 --> 00:16:13.380 I think that integration is just very evident, and, we are very, it's excellence in education, in this field of study. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:24.095 We want the best, and yet, you know, with the faith, that accompanies us along the way. 00:16:24.155 --> 00:16:37.910 And also, and you see this, and I've heard it in your talks and others, who have presented, an awareness that we have to depend ultimately on the grace of God. 00:16:38.610 --> 00:16:40.550 We are only instruments of the healing. 00:16:41.410 --> 00:16:41.890 That's right. 00:16:41.890 --> 00:16:49.510 The grace of God and kind of we have, one of our faculty members, doctor Paul Vitz, who's been one of the founding members. 00:16:50.585 --> 00:16:51.705 He'll be retiring this year. 00:16:51.705 --> 00:16:52.985 He's about 85 years old. 00:16:52.985 --> 00:17:02.040 He's written many books on this topic, but one of the things he said is that Saint John the Baptist should be the patron for psychologists because it's prepare the way of the Lord. 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.020 That's beautiful. 00:17:03.640 --> 00:17:19.305 Our mission is to kind of prepare the way and then God can do the rest, but to kind of work through the human issues so that people can open up to receive God's grace, to receive his forgiveness, whatever whatever graces or blessings they might need to move forward. 00:17:19.525 --> 00:17:20.645 What a beautiful insight. 00:17:20.645 --> 00:17:21.945 That's a beautiful insight. 00:17:23.525 --> 00:17:24.075 One more question. 00:17:24.075 --> 00:17:24.325 Sure. 00:17:25.925 --> 00:17:36.010 So sometimes we have students who who have gone through Catholic schools, they might go to a Catholic university, and they're considering a career. 00:17:36.010 --> 00:17:43.235 They wanna do a career in mental health, and, they had the question, they struggle sometimes with this, I've gone to Catholic schools my whole life. 00:17:43.235 --> 00:17:50.535 Maybe I need to, in my professional life, go to a secular institution to get my training. 00:17:50.835 --> 00:17:56.160 That way it'll give me, you know, a better idea of what the world is like and so forth and that can be a valid concern, I say. 00:17:57.760 --> 00:18:08.980 What would you have any advice or guidance on them as to what they should what else what might they also consider before picking another Catholic school, someone like somewhere, like Divine Mercy University? 00:18:10.535 --> 00:18:12.415 This is a trade off on some of that, but Yeah. 00:18:12.535 --> 00:18:15.275 Would you say, yeah, to a person who's struggling with that decision? 00:18:15.335 --> 00:18:15.835 Sure. 00:18:16.135 --> 00:18:31.070 I would say that, you know, first of all, you don't have to go to a secular university, to understand, understand, what is being, taught, and spoken and the untruths and the deceits out there. 00:18:31.070 --> 00:18:35.090 They're around it all the time, and they see it, unfortunately. 00:18:35.550 --> 00:18:36.770 But that's the reality. 00:18:37.635 --> 00:18:49.015 My concern is that sometimes that thought of I have to since I've been in Catholic schools, and now I have to go to a secular school, so I get a fuller picture. 00:18:49.395 --> 00:19:04.810 My concern is, well, then you put yourself even at greater risk of of losing, what you've been what you've gained because there will be a a a great concentration in trying to take that away from you. 00:19:04.810 --> 00:19:11.135 Rather, you know, if you do twelve years of Catholic, schools, let's say, you're really just beginning. 00:19:11.675 --> 00:19:12.575 You're just beginning. 00:19:13.035 --> 00:19:34.470 And so, a university like Divine Mercy University is allow us now to take you to the next level, in your Catholic faith, in in your Catholic training, and especially as we go deeper in the philosophical, theological principles that you necessarily could not get in in four years of high school, for example. 00:19:35.115 --> 00:19:52.410 And so I would very much encourage, anyone who is discerning, this field, to take very, very seriously, Divine Mercy University, who is well equipped to talk about the issues of the day. 00:19:52.410 --> 00:19:55.070 We're not we're not putting people in some sort of bubble. 00:19:55.450 --> 00:20:00.270 We talk about the issues of the day at the university because these are the people we're gonna be trained to help. 00:20:00.570 --> 00:20:17.880 But in the process, we're gonna support you in an atmosphere, in a culture, with professors, who could lift you up, and and encourage you, rather than you kind of being in a position, where that is kinda diminished in your life. 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:28.220 So I I I'm definitely, would be encouraging our, people pursuing these fields to discern Catholic education, divine including Divine Mercy University. 00:20:29.080 --> 00:20:43.315 Well, thank you and encouragement and and thank you for so much encouragement you've given to Divine Mercy University and to me as well as we move forward in this mission, which, you know, this is, like everything else with the church these days, it's it's a challenge. 00:20:43.315 --> 00:20:50.200 They sometimes they can be difficult, but, but we're on the winning side and and and Easter Sunday always follows good fight is what else. 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.560 We are on a winning side. 00:20:51.560 --> 00:20:57.100 We we have the truth, and we have the desire to serve God and his people. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:21:00.860 I'm more entrusting all of our work to the Lord, to his blessed mother. 00:21:01.025 --> 00:21:02.705 We have great leadership in you, father. 00:21:02.705 --> 00:21:04.405 We have great leadership in you. 00:21:04.465 --> 00:21:16.920 We have a great faculty, and we're we're praying for all of you, because your success will continue to be a great blessing, to the church, to this diocese, and to the people of God. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.960 Well, thank you now. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:26.060 And before I don't wanna make myself look like a liar instead of the last question, but would it be out of the question to give a electronic blessing to Divine Mercy University? 00:21:26.280 --> 00:21:26.780 Absolutely. 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.240 No. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.620 I I certainly will. 00:21:28.760 --> 00:21:47.885 I we do ask, almighty God your blessing upon, the university, its faculty, its students, and all those that we hope to serve, that we will be ever confident in your power, to heal us, to forgive us, to make us strong in mind, body, and spirit. 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:58.660 And may we all who participate in the work of Divine Mercy University renew our commitments to be your instruments of these precious gifts that you give to us through Christ our Lord. 00:21:58.660 --> 00:22:02.440 May God bless you and all your initiatives, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.160 Amen. 00:22:03.755 --> 00:22:04.555 Thank you, Father. 00:22:04.555 --> 00:22:04.795 Thank you. 00:22:04.795 --> 00:22:05.115 Thank you. 00:22:05.115 --> 00:22:05.865 Appreciate it.