Fr. Bala Showe Reddy Nekkanti, SCJ, a priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ) Congregation, recently achieved a significant milestone in his academic journey. After starting his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the Graduate School of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, in August 2019, he successfully defended his thesis on May 8, 2024, at 4:30 PM.

Fr. Nekkanti’s thesis, titled “Porn Consumption, Interpersonal Relationship and Spiritual Dryness: A Basis for the Development of a Psycho-Spiritual Intervention Program for the Seminarians in the Philippines,” tackled a relevant topic for the seminary community. The defense was witnessed by Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ and Dn. July Zambrano SCJ.

Following the successful defense, Fr. Nekkanti was awarded the distinction of “Cum Laude” for his presentation. He will now incorporate minor suggestions and comments from the panel into his final manuscript, which is due for submission by the first week of June 2024. Fr. Nekkanti’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 15, 2024.

Fr. Nekkanti’s thesis and upcoming psycho-spiritual intervention program have the potential to make a valuable contribution to the well-being of seminarians in the Philippines. His research and program development efforts demonstrate a commitment to addressing the challenges faced by those discerning a vocation to the priesthood.