Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

GOFP 81

Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

region can at least coordinate the same day of rest each week and so more easily arrange for priestly gatherings, prayer, and recreation.

81 Whatever the format, priestly fraternity can play an important role in our ongoing formation. Our fraternity is a matter not of instrumentalizing friendship for the sake of our personal development, but rather of highlighting ways that our friendships already are, or could be, a source of mutual growth. It is hoped that the specific suggestions in this document regarding the fraternal means of ongoing formation will promote and expand the fraternity that is one of the great blessings of our priesthood. Episcopal Means 82 Among the chief duties of a diocesan bishop is to care for his priests. He sees to it, for example, that they have a livable income and proper medical care. He ensures that their rectories are decent. He observes their anniversaries and visits them in the hospital when they are ill. He celebrates their funerals and commends them to God when they have died. A diocesan bishop’s care for his priests, though, goes beyond this. He wants for them what he wants for himself, that is, to thrive, to grow in all dimensions of formation, and to strive always to become a more authentic Christian, a better man, and a holier priest. 63 83 Episcopal means of formation are found in the person of the diocesan bishop himself, as when he directly encourages priests to embrace ongoing formation and sets an example for them. He makes priests’ gatherings, retreats, and formation events a priority and, whenever possible, is “present in person and taking part in an interested and 63 “The Bishop’s responsibility is based on the fact that priests receive their priesthood from him and share his pastoral solicitude for the People of God. He is responsible for ongoing formation, the pur pose of which is to ensure that all his priests are generously faithful to the gift and ministry received, that they are priests such as the People of God wishes to have and has a ‘right’ to.” PDV, no. 79. See also CIC, c. 384; Congregation for Bishops, Apostolorum Successores (Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops), February 22, 2004, nos. 75-83.

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