Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

154 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

demonstrate that he is articulate, good at listening, and capable of public speaking. He can take on the role of a public person in the Church. His intensive study of theology during the configuration stage is integrated with his pastoral skills and provides the intellectual tools to become an effective homilist and teacher. In his pastoral assignments, the seminarian demonstrates avail ability to commit his life to priestly ministry, growing to demonstrate the same compassion, generosity, understanding, love for all (especially the poor), and zeal for the Kingdom that characterized the ministry of the Son of God. “This can be summed up as pastoral charity.” 456 The semi narian demonstrates pastoral charity in his sensitivity and prudence with behavior and language in pastoral settings. He demonstrates multicultural sensitivity and openness to people of all ages, religious backgrounds, and social status in speech and action. He demonstrates the ability to collab orate with both men and women. He demonstrates the capacity to abide prudently by safe environment guidelines and to maintain proper bound aries in all relationships, especially with minors and other vulnerable individuals. If a seminarian violates appropriate boundaries with adults or minors, including the sexual abuse of a minor, immediate action must be taken in accordance with diocesan or eparchial policies, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People , and Canon and civil law. By the end of the configuration stage the seminarian can orga nize a homily around a central point. He can reflect theologically on pastoral issues. He learns that offering his life in service to the Church involves understanding and following the will of Christ in the person of his diocesan bishop or the competent authority of an institute of conse crated life or society of apostolic life. The seminarian’s continued growth in confidence allows him to discern and continue to discover how God will use his unique talents in ordained ministry. Given that he will be entrusted with the temporal goods of the Church, he also demonstrates the ability to manage his own personal finances. He also remains free from unnecessary debt. 377. 378.

456 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 119.