Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

APPENDIX A: PROGRAM FOR NEWLY ORDAINED PRIESTS | 99

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 under the authority of the diocesan bishop, who has the right to judge the suitability of the mentor. Ideally, the diocese could provide a workshop to train mentors. Such training could be combined with the training of mentors for new pastors or international priests. The diocesan bishop will also find it advisable to consider the selection process for the mentor during the assignment process for a new priest. The mentor should not live or work at such a distance from the new priest’s assignment that meeting regularly would be burdensome. In addition, the assignment process will involve discussion of the new priest’s talents and qualities—a conversation that assists in the matching of an appropriate mentor. It is vital that the mentor relationship be established at the outset of the new priest’s ministry. The role of mentor does not take place in the internal forum, but it does have a high expectation of confidentiality. Exceptions to that expectation would involve grave matters such as those involving risk or danger to the new priest or to the people he serves. Dioceses have varying levels of resources and practices with regard to ongoing formation. Some may have part-time or full-time dedicated directors of ongoing formation. In other settings, the vicar for clergy or the priest personnel director may oversee ongoing programs for the recently ordained. For this general outline, we simply observe that the kind of program envisioned here requires careful planning, oversight, and engage ment. Ideally, the program would have a dedicated director. In appointing leadership for the ongoing formation of new priests, diocesan bishops need to consider the capacity of the potential leader to foster and practice fraternal regard among the new priests and for the new priests. THE DIRECTOR 249.

PART 2: KEY PROGRAMMING IN THE FORMATION OF THE RECENTLY ORDAINED PRIEST

250. As noted in the preliminary observations to this appendix, fraternal interaction is an essential element to the effectiveness of engagement with