Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

10 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

g. The demographics of the Catholic Church in the United States demonstrate the challenging situation of fewer priests and a large Catholic population. h. There are large numbers of inactive or “semi-active” Catholics, as well as poorly catechized Catholics, who need to be called back to active participation in the life of the Church and, as needed, full initiation. i. The cultural acceptance of the individual’s right to exploration and expression of differences of belief brings Catholics in the United States into continuing and sometimes significant differ ences between their perceptions and the reality of what is essen tial to Catholic belief. These differences in perception strain many dimensions of the life of the Church and diminish the impact of the mission of the Church on society. j. Within the Church, clericalism and abuse of power have had a corrosive effect. The scandalous and criminal behavior of some clergy who have abused minors and engaged in sexual miscon duct with adults, including seminarians, has caused great suffer ing for the victims and damaged the Church’s witness in society. This scandal has resulted in a loss of credibility for the Church and an overall lack of respect for religion. Both the nation and the Church are summoned to renewal and to a greater integrity of life. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons adopted by the Catholic bishops in the United States in 2002 (revised in 2005, 2011, and 2018) provide an example of moving in this direction. Also providing a way forward are the apostolic letter motu proprio of Pope Francis titled Vos Estis Lux Mundi ( You Are the Light of the World ) and the documents adopted at the USC CB’s June 2019 general assembly. 28 22. (3) Finally, the Church in the United States continues to benefit from the blessings that the variety of men in initial formation for priesthood bring. They also, as in every age, bring some unique challenges as well. The background of men preparing for priestly

28 See USCCB, “Directives for the Implementation of the Provisions of Vos Estis Lux Mundi Concerning Bishops and their Equivalents,” “Acknowledging Our Episcopal Commitments,” and “Protocol Regarding Available Non-Penal Restrictions on Bishops,” in A Continuous and Profound Conversion of Hearts (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2019), 9-21.