Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Seminary Formation: Structural Elements

A judgment concerning the suitability of a candidate to receive the diaconate as a transitional step to priesthood includes a judgment concerning his suitability for priestly ministry. It is not possible to admit a candidate to the diaconate in the face of doubts concerning his suitability for the priesthood. For this reason the judgment reached by the scrutiny undertaken with a view to ordination to the diaconate is decisive. If this judgment is positive, it should be changed only in the light of new and grave information in the course of the next scrutiny prior to priestly ordination. 221 Deacons must exercise the diaconal order for a suitable period of time before being ordained to the priesthood (CIC, c. 1032 §2). This vocational synthesis stage “has a twofold purpose: on the one hand it is about being inducted into the pastoral life, with a gradual assumption of responsibilities in a spirit of service; on the other hand it is about making a suitable preparation, with the help of a specific accompaniment, in view of priesthood.” 222 There is to be an interval of at least six months between a seminarian’s ordination to the diaconate and his ordination to the priesthood (CIC, c. 1031 §1). He is to be at least twenty-five years of age and possess sufficient maturity (CIC, c. 1031 §1; CCEO, c. 759 §1). He is to have completed six years of philosophy and theology (CIC, c. 1032 §2; CCEO, c. 760 §2) and is to be able to articulate the theology and expectations of the priesthood (CIC, c. 1028). He is to petition his diocesan bishop or major superior in writing to be ordained, expressing his free intention and permanent commitment (CIC, c. 1036; CCEO, c. 761). The vocation director, the pastor of the parish where the deacon is assigned, or the bishop’s or religious superior’s delegated priest formator is to certify to the diocesan bishop or major superior that all these requirements have been met (CIC, c. 1050, 1°; CCEO, c. 769, 3°). The vocation director, the pastor of the parish where the deacon is assigned, or the bishop’s or religious superior’s delegated

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221 See Scrutinies , no. 11. 222 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 74.

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