Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

SEMINARY FORMATION: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS | 73

the seminarian’s advancement, supplying the number of affirmative and negative votes as well as the number of abstentions. Both negative votes and abstentions should be explained. The annual evaluation should include a well-founded judgment concerning the suitability of the seminarian for advancement to the next year or stage of formation. The evaluation report should be detailed. The qualities listed in Canon Law for promotion to Holy Orders are consid ered at each stage of advancement: integral faith, right intention, requi site knowledge, good reputation, integral morals and proven virtues, and the requisite physical and psychological health. 215 The evaluation should provide a judgment of the seminarian’s aptitude for priestly life andministry as well as an estimation of his capacity to lead a chaste, celibate life. The seminarian’s current stage in formation should be considered in assessing his readiness for advancement. The individual benchmarks pertaining to each stage of formation are presented for each dimension of forma tion in the chapters that follow. These are to be considered and applied, according to the principle of gradualism, at each stage of formation. The content of the annual evaluation must be communicated to each seminarian with a signed acknowledgment of having reviewed the evaluation. A written copy may be given to him. The annual evaluation may be concurrent with the scrutiny required for each liturgical ritual that marks the seminarian’s advance ment toward the priesthood, providing clear indications regarding his suit ability. 216 The norms of the Church are to be observed regarding admis sion to candidacy and institution into the ministries of lector and acolyte (Latin Church) 217 or lower orders (Eastern Catholic Churches). 218 The proper documentation must be collected for the scrutiny for each stage. The procedures and documentation required prior to ordination to the diaconate and to the priesthood are to be completed. 219 171. 172. 173.

215 See CIC, c. 1029; CCEO, c. 758. 216 See Scrutinies . 217 See CIC, cc. 1034-1035; St. Paul VI, apostolic letters given Motu Proprio : Ministeria Quaedam and Ad Pascendum (August 15, 1972). 218 See CCEO, c. 758 §1, 5°. 219 See CIC, cc. 1050-1052; CCEO, cc. 769-770.