A propedeutikus év tapasztalatai a világegyházban

The Optatam Totius had already outlined a sort of blueprint for the preparatory year of studies (propaedeuticum), which was implemented in several countries. In 1992, the post-synodal apostolic exhortation entitled “Pastores dabo vobis” also presented this training as an opportunity to enrich the priestly formation. These trainings can be divided into three groups: autonomous, integrated in the seminary curriculum, or bound to the pastoral care (of students). At the international level, the preparatory years are organized either by Episcopal Conferences or by dioceses. This study presents the experiences acquired from the practice of propaedeuticum in different countries.

Mission and Engagement of The Vincentians to Priestly Formation in Indonesia: A Historical-Theological Revisit

This paper explores historical engagement in priestly formation in Indonesia by the Vincentians, the Catholic Religious Congregation, who has been sent to a mission in Indonesia (from the Netherlands) and erected the Diocese of Surabaya since 1923. The paper outlines the Vincentian missionaries’ theological understanding of mission and the importance of establishing minor and major seminary to train the indigenous candidates for the priesthood to take care of their local churches. This study's methodology applies a historical approach to see the strategies of the Vincentians to develop the formation of priestly candidates related to the challenges of the times. From this study, we found that the history of the Catholic mission has a meaningful peak in planting the Church as often produced in the mission and the formation of its local priests. The education of candidates for the priesthood is not just a form of apostolic work but is essentially a necessary part of the Catholic Church's mission. The Vincentians have carved a hard work of mission apostolates in the establishment of the Diocese of Surabaya with its charismatic works and the education of its laymen until today and especially in the continual engagement in the priestly formation in Indonesia with its changing challenges. The excellent form of the Catholic priests is essential to the mission, as the candidates will be the future leaders of the local Church and the preachers of the Gospel wherever they are sent.

From Moral Theology to Ecclesial Ethics

The paper explores shifts and turns that over the centuries have influenced moral thinking and instructing on moral matters within the Roman Catholic tradition. The purpose of this exploration is to shed light on the current status of moral theology and identify areas for future developments. The paper proposes ‘ecclesial ethics’ as one of such areas. It views moral theology as a dynamic discipline, shaped by pressures, invitations and demands of the day. It claims that for moral theology to be relevant today, some fundamental questions (including the purpose of the discipline) must be revisited. It argues that practical realities in the lives of individuals, communities and the church as well as the Planet must be at the forefront of moral theological considerations. Contemporary moral theologians and/or theological ethicists (the paper considers this distinction) are a diverse and, we dare to add, divided group. The paper argues that building bridges in a polarised world (including the world of moral theology) needs to be a priority. The overall aim of this study is to respond positively to the call for renewal of moral theology as voiced in the ‘Decree on Priestly Formation’ of the Second Vatican Council and in several statements made by Pope Francis.

Clericalism Contributes to Religious, Spiritual, and Behavioral Struggles among Catholic Priests

The Roman Catholic Church has received a remarkable amount of press attention regarding clerical perpetrated sexual abuse with child victims as well as other clerical behavioral scandals in recent years. Much has been reported in both the popular and professional press about the various aspects and elements of priestly formation and ministry that might contribute to behavioral problems among clerics. Additionally, much has also been written and discussed about the challenging religious, spiritual, and behavioral struggles among clerics when clerical misbehavior significantly contradicts expected behavior in terms of sexual, behavioral, and relational ethics. Since Catholic priests are dedicated to chastity, obedience, and, among religious order clerics, poverty, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike expect and demand highly virtuous behavior from these men that they believe should be beyond reproach. Clericalism contributes to the gap between expected and actual behavior and creates an environment and culture where problem behavior and struggles are too often ignored. This article seeks to unpack some of the challenging dynamics of clericalism and demonstrate how it negatively contributes to religious, spiritual, moral, and behavioral struggles among Catholic clerics.

Peran Maria Sebagai Bunda dan Guru Imamat dalam Pembinaan Imam di Era Revolusi 4.0

Abstrak Pembinaan imam merupakan elemen penting dalam Gereja Katolik karena imam menjadi instrumen hidup karya keselamatan serentak berada di garis terdepan karya pastoral Gereja. Dalam konteks hidup yang selalu berubah dan berkembang, para imam dituntut untuk menyerupai Kristus, Kepala dan Gembala. Kehadiran dan peran Maria dalam pembinaan imam selalu aktual sepanjang masa. Sebab ada hubungan esensial antara Maria, Bunda Yesus dan imamat pelayanan Sang Putra, berdasarkan relasi keibuan ilahi Maria dan Imamat Kristus. Teladan Maria sebagai bunda, model dan guru ini direfleksikan dan ditandaskan dalam dokumen-dokumen sejak Konsili Vatikan II yang berbicara mengenai pembinaan imam. Artikel ini merupakan refleksi atas kehadiran dan peran Maria dalam pembinaan imam khususnya dalam era revolusi 4.0 berdasarkan dokumen-dokumen tersebut. Abstract Formation of priests is an important element in the Catholic Church because priests become living instruments of salvation while being at the forefront of pastoral work. In the context of a life that is always changing and developing, priests are required to resemble Christ, the Head and the Shepherd. Mary's presence and role in the formation of priests have always been a reality throughout the ages. Because there is an essential relationship between Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the priestly ministry of her Son, based on the relationship between Mary's divine motherhood and the Priesthood of Christ. Mary's example as a mother, model and teacher has been reflected upon and emphasized since the Second Vatican Council in documents dealing with priestly formation. This article is a reflection on the presence and role of Mary in the formation of priests, especially in the era of revolution 4.0 based on these documents.

The Role of God’s Word in Priestly Formation: Selected Issues

The Word of God is the foundation that enables a young man to establish a deep bond with Christ while following the path of priestly formation. Daily prayer based on profound meditation on God’s word (lectio divina) helps a seminarian become rooted deeply in the Holy Scripture and to truly encounter Jesus in the books of the Gospel. The student also needs intellectual formation based on Holy Scripture in order to understand more the secrets of the Holy Scripture more profoundly and preach them in his ministry as reader.

“Moulding his human personality”: Personality Change and Formation to Priesthood in the Catholic Church

The official documents on formation to priesthood in the Catholic Church encourage the use of personality psychology. Generally, the documents understand human personality to be dynamic. What does this mean in the light of the contemporary debate on the psychology of personality change? This article attempts to summarize the salient features of this debate, pointing out its relevance to priestly formation. Supporting a “whole-person model” of personality as proposed by Dan McAdams, the article considers the possibility of personality change at some levels in the context of religious experience facilitated by seminary formation. This article is also aimed at enlightening formation guides to make an informed decision in the choice of appropriate models of personality in the accompaniment of their candidates.

O auxílio do counseling na formação presbiteral à luz do Documento 93 da CNBB

Síntese: A Conferência Episcopal Brasileira publicou em 2010 um documento intitulado Diretrizes para a formação dos presbíteros da Igreja no Brasil (documento 93 da CNBB). À luz deste documento, nossa proposta neste artigo é valorizar a formação humano-afetiva, visto que todo presbítero é chamado a oferecer ao mundo um testemunho de vida compatível com os valores do Evangelho de Cristo, através da vivência do ministério sacerdotal. Entre tantos instrumentos facilitadores do processo de amadurecimento humano-afetivo, destacaremos um “ombro amigo”, ou seja, a arte do aconselhamento (counseling), como arte de ajudar a ajudar-se, na medida em que o presbítero aprende a ajudar-se, deixando-se ajudar.Palavras-chave: Formação presbiteral. Aconselhamento. Maturidade humano-cristã. Pastoral presbiteral.Abstract: The Brazilian Bishop’s Conference published in 2010 a document entitled “Guidelines for the Training of Priests of the Church in Brazil” (CNBB document 93). In the light of this document, our proposal in this article is to enhance human-affective formation, since every priest is called to offer the world a witness of life compatible with the values of the Gospel of Christ, through the living of priestly ministry. Among the many instruments facilitators of the process of human-affective maturity, we stress a “shoulder”, or better, the art of counseling as art of helping to help oneself in the measure that the priest learns to help himself allowing himself to help.Keywords: Priestly formation. Counseling. Maturity. Priestly ministry.