Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 329

Intellectual Dimension

of Sacred Scripture and the rest of theology. “This dichotomy can create confusion and a lack of stability in the intellectual formation of candidates for ecclesial ministries.” 393 The study of Sacred Scripture and its interpretation should take into account the preparation of seminarians for the tasks of preaching homilies and applying Sacred Scripture to the lives of the Christian faithful. 394 Patristic studies constitute an essential part of theological studies. Theology should draw from the works of the Fathers of the Church because of their lasting value within the living Tradition of the Church. The core should include patrology (an overview of the life and writings of the Fathers of the Church) and patristics (an overview of the theological thought of the Fathers of the Church). 395 In dogmatic theology, the core must include theology of the Blessed Trinity, Christology, pneumatology, creation, the Fall and the nature of sin, redemption, grace and the human person, ecclesiology, sacraments, eschatology, Mariology, 396 and missiology. 397 A separate course on Holy Orders, with a thorough study of the nature and mission of the ministerial priesthood including a history and theology of celibacy, is required. 398 The Church enjoins pastors “to neglect nothing with a view to a well organized and well-oriented catechetical effort”; and since “all pastors have the duty to provide” them, evangelization and catechesis should 393 Verbum Domini , no. 35. 394 Because “in the sacred books the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them,” courses in Sacred Scripture must equip seminarians to identify those “divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented” therein ( Dei Verbum , nos. 21, 11), so that they can share these riches with those whom they serve. 395 See Congregation for Catholic Education, Instruction on the Study of the Fathers of the Church in the Formation of Priests (1989); see also Optatam Totius , no. 16. 396 See Congregation for Catholic Education, The Virgin Mary in Intellectual and Spiritual Formation (1988). 397 Missiology may be treated as a separate component or integrated into ecclesiology; it must form an integral part of every treatment of evangelization. See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 171. 398 See Sacramentum Caritatis , no. 24.

326

327

328

329

157