Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

ADMISSION INTO A FORMATION PROGRAM | 43

into a formation program, in cases of Catholics for whom a sudden conver sion experience seems to precipitate a priestly vocation. Similarly, those who return to the practice of the faith after an extended period away from the Church should not enter a formation program directly. The seminary is obligated to determine the freedom of the appli cant from the impediments and irregularities for receiving Holy Orders and from conditions that must be addressed prior to the reception of Holy Orders, namely, that sufficient time has passed for a neophyte; 130 that the applicant does not hold a position forbidden to clerics; 131 that the applicant does not “labor under some form of amentia or other psychic illness”; 132 that he has not committed the delict of apostasy, heresy, or schism; 133 and that he has not committed voluntary homicide, positively cooperated in a completed abortion, 134 gravely and maliciously mutilated himself or another, attempted suicide, 135 or simulated an act reserved to priests or bishops. 136 If any of these conditions exist, then prior to admis sion, appropriate dispensations or remedies must be obtained, including, when necessary, recourse to the tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary when the existence of the impediment is not a publicly known fact. The diocesan bishop must investigate whether the applicant is allergic to wheat and whether he is able to consume the Precious Blood. 137 86. 87.

88.

The diocesan bishop must investigate whether the applicant has

a criminal background.

89. Furthermore, the diocesan bishop must investigate whether the applicant is abusing alcohol or drugs, whether he suffers from an addic tion or compulsive disorder to pornography, and whether he is capable of beginning formation.

130 See CIC, c. 1042, 3°; CCEO, c. 762 §1, 8°. 131 See CIC, cc. 285-286, 289, 1042, 2°; CCEO, cc. 762 §1, 7°, 382-385. 132 See CIC, c. 1041, 1°; CCEO, c. 762 §1, 1°; Ratio Fundamentalis , nos. 191-196.

133 See CIC, c. 1041, 2°; CCEO, c. 762 §1, 2°. 134 See CIC, c. 1041, 4°; CCEO, c. 762 §1, 4°. 135 See CIC, c. 1041, 5°; CCEO, c. 762 §1, 5°. 136 See CIC, c. 1041, 6°; CCEO, c. 762 §1, 6°.

137 “Given the centrality of the celebration of the Eucharist in the life of a priest, one must proceed with great caution before admitting to Holy Orders those candidates unable to ingest gluten or alcohol without serious harm.” Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Circular Letter to All Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences Concerning the Use of Low-Gluten Altar Breads and Mustum as Matter for the Celebration of the Eucharist , July 24, 2003, www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/ rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030724_pane-senza-glutine_en.html .