Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

140 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

346. Due emphasis should be given in the various theological disci plines to the topics of consecrated life, 416 marriage, and the family. There should be interdisciplinary cooperation, and the curriculum should be organized so that these topics become an important dimension of pastoral and intellectual formation. 417 Although various theological schools exist within the Catholic Tradition, in accord with Church teaching, the significance of St. Thomas Aquinas as the model and guide for study and research in theology must be recognized. 418 Throughout the academic curriculum, questions of theological methodology should be emphasized so that seminarians learn to evaluate the strengths and limitations of various theological viewpoints in light of the Magisterium of the Church. All methodologies employed must be clear on the distinction and relation between truths revealed by God and contained in the Deposit of Faith and their theological mode of expression. 419 The normative function of the Magisterium must be presented as Christ’s gift to his Church: the vital, integral, and authoritative voice in the theological enterprise. 347. 348. 349. 350. 352. Studies in the beliefs and practices of other Churches, ecclesial communities, or religions may be profitably taught by members of those Churches or religions after seminarians have completed the regular course studies on ecclesiology and the Catholic principles on ecumenism, and with respect for the rule that in seminary studies the professors of the doctrinal courses should be Catholics. 421 The prescriptions of the Directory 416 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 169. 417 See Congregation for Catholic Education, Directives on the Formation of Seminarians Concerning Problems Related to Marriage and the Family (1995). 418 See Optatam Totius , no. 16n36; CIC, c. 252 §3. 419 See International Theological Commission, On the Interpretation of Dogmas (1989). 420 See CCEO, c. 41; Congregation for Catholic Education, Circular Letter Concerning Studies of the Oriental Churches (1987). 421 See Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism . 351. Courses of theology, ecclesiology, spirituality, and history should include the development and nature of the Eastern Churches. 420