Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

SEMINARIES | 167

governance of the seminary in accord with Church law, this Program of Priestly Formation , and the standards of the seminary’s accrediting agency. Members of the board should represent the clergy, religious, and laity who share a concern for priestly formation in all its dimensions. They should be selected from the local Churches and from the religious insti tutes or societies that the seminary serves. The board should reflect the multicultural composition of the Church in the region and of the dioceses or eparchies it serves. Boards should have a well-articulated policy and an active prac tice of board development, so that board members can fulfill their respon sibilities more effectively. This policy should include a provision for the regular evaluation of the board’s own performance. When seminary boards have fiduciary responsibility for the semi nary, the members should be well prepared for that role and discharge their responsibility effectively. 417. 418. 419. 420. The process used to form governance policy 485 should be clearly defined by the diocesan bishop or major superior in consultation with the seminary board(s) and the rector. The process should clearly iden tify the scope of governance authority and responsibility, while protecting the principle of subsidiarity and avoiding intrusion into administrative matters of the seminary. The most important administrative policy is the mission state ment of the seminary. Each mission statement must incorporate a clear understanding of and commitment to the formation of men for the minis terial priesthood. It is also important for the seminary to respond to the priorities of local Churches and the communities it serves through the establishment of appropriate policies. 421. FORMATION OF A GOVERNANCE POLICY

485 “Governance policy” in this document refers to those norms, laws, and decrees that strictly speaking flow from the rights and obligations inherent in the authority of the diocesan bishop or major superior. Administrative policies are the responsibility of those deputed for the internal operation of the seminary, particularly the rector. Administrative policy means operational rules, regulations, and procedures that implement the mission and governance policy approved by the diocesan bishop or major superior.