Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

40 | PROGRAM OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

as he and the Church discern whether his homosexual tendencies are transitory or deep-seated. Concerning the results of psychological testing and other confi dential materials, the ecclesiastical entity and seminary must observe all Canon Law and civil law requirements, inform the applicant in writing of his specific rights to privacy and confidentiality, and utilize appropriate release forms. 122 Throughout the admission process and the priestly forma tion program, the man’s rights to privacy and a good reputation must be respected, and the careful management of confidential materials is to be observed. 123 The wording of any release forms must indicate which persons may have access to the information and with whom they can share it, making it explicit that no other sharing is to be allowed without the man’s explicit written permission. In the event that further consultation is needed in a particular case, additional release forms must be obtained. In the initial admission process, an evaluation should be made of an applicant’s indebtedness, his ability to handle finances (for example, responsible record keeping and payment of personal taxes), spending patterns, and perhaps a willingness to cover a portion of his formation expenses. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for learning prin ciples of good stewardship, avoiding any attitudes of entitlement. They should also show an openness to developing professional approaches to personal and Church-related business matters. The admission process should be attentive to older, experienced applicants, who often bring a mature spirituality, experience in pastoral life, and other significant life experiences but who might also be less docile to formation. The admission processes must be no less rigorous, thorough, or comprehensive than it might be for other applicants. If an applicant has never been in a formation program, then he must complete a propaedeutic stage lasting not less than one calendar year and a discipleship stage lasting not less than a two-year calendar period. Discipleship stage programs that form men with prior life and education 76. 77. 78. 79.

122 See CIC, c. 220; CCEO, c. 23. 123 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 196. Due to the diversity of state laws, each ecclesiastical entity and semi nary is to determine the length of time for which “documentation related to the physical and psycholog ical health of seminarians is to be stored,” respecting all applicable civil laws.