National Register Conversation
Over the past two years a working group has been exploring the possibility of a register of spiritual directors in Australia. Their purpose was stated thus: “In an expression of care and concern for the communities in which we live and the directees who may come to us for guidance, we believe the provision of a register which seeks to list competent spiritual directors, who protect the confidentiality of their directees and offer them compassion, is vital.”
After gathering responses from contemplative discernment circles and surveys the working group developed a model for a register which would list: name, location, contact, particular interest, and optionally photograph, spiritual tradition, and availability in person/online etc. While all spiritual directors could apply to be on the register, the register would check qualifications and ongoing professional development and supervision.
The question then arose as to whether AECSD (the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction) would be responsible for that register or whether a separate body would be responsible. Presently AECSD provides a code of ethics, and guidelines for formation programs, and is working on guidelines for supervision programs and pathways; and so could also be responsible for providing guidelines for each association’s listing/register of its own members.
AECSD’s response to this question was not to take responsibility for the register but to offer to provide guidelines for each association’s register/listing, thus standardising these. The wisdom of the larger community that has been gleaned from the working group and consultative process could thus be implemented. This could include, for example, accountability structures, regulatory issues, standardisation of policy, (allowing for the diversity, integrity and core work of each organisation), increasing safety and supporting raising the profile of spiritual direction in Australia.
The present outcome is that the national spiritual direction associations in Australia – ANSD (Australian Network for Spiritual Direction, CSD (Conference of Spiritual Directors), and Companions (Companions in the Ministry of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises) will develop their listings/registers individually rather than there being a national register or standardised guidelines.
The AECSD website will list links to the Find a Spiritual Director page on each of the associations’ websites.