Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

GOFP 247

Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

improper engagement with media, or other behaviors that endanger him or others.

The Spiritual Director 247 The role of the spiritual director and confessor is critical in the life of every priest. As this matter is a personal choice of the individual priest, assigning a spiritual director is not necessary (as it might be in the seminary). Nonetheless, those charged with crafting and overseeing the program of ongoing formation need to ensure that newly ordained priests understand the importance of establishing this habit of regular direction from the very start of their priestly ministry. Although this unique relationship takes place in the internal forum, and the discussions are entirely confidential, the fact that a priest has a director and is faithful to direction is not in the internal forum; it is a legitimate interest of the diocesan bishop or his delegate. A diocese or several dioceses in concert may find it advisable to arrange the training of suitable directors to assist young priests in establishing the practice from the start. The Mentor 248 The mentor is a seasoned or mature priest, other than the pastor, who provides peer support from one priest to another. The mentor for a recently ordained priest should be a mature priest who lives and works in a parish other than that of the new priest. As opposed to the priest’s own selection of a spiritual director, the diocesan bishop may wish to assign mentors to newly ordained priests (some programs do permit the new priest to nominate individuals to serve as mentor). The rationale for assigning mentors is to avoid the possibility that a new priest might select a friend and cloud the nature of the mentorship role. In addition, the mentor works with the new priest

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