Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

HUMAN DIMENSION | 93

Preparation for Obedience

219. The seminary should articulate appropriate behaviors that mani fest a healthy understanding of obedience. The exercise of authority and the response of obedience are works of grace, goodwill, and human effort that play a part in the life of every priest. Seminarians should appreciate and integrate the necessary role that authority and organization play in achieving and maintaining any community’s goals and purposes, as well as recognize the theological and spiritual dimension of reverence and obedi ence in the Catholic Church. Belief with divine and Catholic faith is owed to Divine Revelation, as given by God and proposed by the Church. 270 Doctrine concerning faith or morals, proposed definitively by the Holy Father or the college of bishops, is to be firmly embraced and retained. 271 Additionally, religious submission of the intellect and will is due to doctrine declared by the Holy Father or the college of bishops concerning faith and morals, even if they do not intend to proclaim it definitively. 272 Every bishop is an authentic teacher and instructor of the faith; 273 seminaries should inculcate in each seminarian a capacity to live in communion with his diocesan bishop. Seminaries should expect of seminarians a spirit of joyful trust, open dialogue, and generous cooperation with those in authority. As semi narians advance in their training, they should be given more opportu nity to exercise responsibility and freedom. At the same time, they should understand that accountability is always part of the exercise of freedom. Seminaries should articulate that priestly obedience begins with humble and willing cooperation in seminary life, docility to direction, and wholehearted compliance with the seminary’s policies and programs. Seminarians are not expected to surrender their ecclesial rights to express their opinion or to make known their needs. 274 This docility will prepare seminarians to cooperate with their bishop 275 or superior, especially in 220. 221.

270 See CIC, c. 750 §1; CCEO, c. 598 §1; St. John Paul II, Ad Tuendam Fidem (1990). 271 See CIC, c. 750 §2; CCEO, c. 598 §2; St. John Paul II, Ad Tuendam Fidem .

272 See CIC, c. 752; CCEO, c. 599. 273 See CIC, c. 753; CCEO, c. 600. 274 CIC, c. 212 §§2-3.

275 See Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 7: “Priests for their part should . . . [respect in their bishop] the authority of Christ the supreme Pastor. They should therefore be attached to their bishop with sincere charity and obedience.”