Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

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Appendix D: Boundary Education

media. In the culturally and politically polarized contemporary setting, priests need good ongoing formation in prudence, discretion, and the discipline of thinking and speaking on behalf of the Church. In the case of digital media, younger priests are more often familiar with using this technology. Some priests reared in the digital age might mix personal and pastoral use of digital media. In both cases the priest should be careful not to engage in aggressive or harassing communications. Digital and social media tend to absorb inordinate amounts of time and attention, serve as a distraction, and lower attention span. For this reason, priests need to be assisted to cultivate prudence in their use of media, so that their media usage serves the mission of the Church, and serves them, in healthy ways. The digital realm also poses significant risks to proper chaste living for the clergy. This too must be addressed in ongoing formation.

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