Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

16 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

not only to the particular Church but also to the universal Church, in communion with the bishop, with Peter and under Peter. Through the priesthood of the bishop, the priesthood of the second order is incorpo rated in the apostolic structure of the Church. In this way priests, like the Apostles, act as ambassadors of Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:20). This is the basis of the missionary character of every priest.” 46

PRIESTHOOD IN PRESBYTERAL COMMUNION

30. These Trinitarian, Christological, and ecclesiological dimen sions give us a sense of the nature, mission, and ministry of priests. It is important, however, to add that these dimensions only become real and operative in a presbyterate, one that is in communion with its bishop. “By its very nature, the ordained ministry can be carried out only to the extent that the priest is united to Christ through sacramental participation in the priestly order, and thus to the extent that he is in hierarchical commu nion with his own bishop. The ordained ministry has a radical ‘commu nitarian form’ and can only be carried out as a ‘collective work.’” 47 This “communitarian form” also means that priests are to develop and foster bonds of fraternity and cooperation among themselves, so that the reality of the presbyterate may take hold of their lives. 48 Furthermore, seminaries and houses of initial formation are encouraged to foster mutual relations among members of institutes of consecrated life, societies of apostolic life, and seminarians in formation for the diocesan priesthood, so as to lay the foundation for a spirit of unity among future priests and ministers of the Church. Priestly ministry, whether lived out in a particular Church or in an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life, can appear to be very different: one more geographically and parishbound, the other wider-ranging and rooted in a particular charism. Still, all priests share a common ministerial priesthood, belong to a presbyterate in communion with the diocesan bishop, and serve the same mission of the Church. 49 A common sacramental bond links all priests, although particular 31.

46 47 48

Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 16. Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 17.

See Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 8; CIC, c. 275 §1; CCEO, c. 379.

49 “It is of great importance that all priests, whether diocesan or regular [religious], should help each other, so that they may be fellow-helpers of the truth. Each is joined to the rest of the members of this priestly body by special ties of apostolic charity of ministry and of brotherhood.” Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 8.