Archdiocese of Sydney priests receive Accidental Counsellor training

Priests in the Archdiocese of Sydney are receiving Accidental Counsellor training to help them manage unplanned emotional conversations with parishioners. Rocky Biasi, who delivered the training, stated that the program is not intended to turn priests into psychologists. Instead, it provides practical skills for the first few minutes of an encounter when a person is sharing emotional distress.

The training teaches priests how to remain steady and connect with others before attempting to solve their problems. Biasi identified three common mistakes to avoid during these moments: fixing the problem, offering a silver lining, or providing unsolicited wisdom. He noted that while these responses often come from a good place, they can prevent a person from feeling understood if offered too early.

The program also instructs priests on how to recognize when a person's needs require the involvement of a professional therapist or counselor. This training addresses the spontaneous interactions priests often face, such as conversations after Mass, late-night phone calls, or visits to hospital bedsides.