Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 347

Intellectual Dimension

the principles of ecumenism, the fundamental role of ecumenical dialogue, and current ecumenical issues. In addition, ecumenism should be fully integrated into other courses, thus permeating the theological curriculum. Issues concerning interreligious dialogue should also be discussed. 414 Seminarians should learn about the religious traditions present in the United States. Studies in pastoral theology are required, should include treatment of the principles and criteria for pastoral action, and should provide for theological reflection where seminarians are involved in supervised pastoral placements. 415 Pastoral studies should include training in pastoral counseling, in which seminarians are to learn how to address concerns brought to them by parishioners for whom they can reasonably offer counsel and how to make appropriate referrals for issues beyond their competence. Due emphasis should be given in the various theological disciplines to the topics of consecrated life, 416 marriage, and the family. There should be interdisciplinary cooperation, and the curriculum should be organized so that these topics become an important dimension of pastoral and intellectual formation. 417 Although various theological schools exist within the Catholic Tradition, in accord with Church teaching, the significance of St. Thomas Aquinas as the model and guide for study and research in theology must be recognized. 418 414 See Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms of Ecumenism (1993). See also Second Vatican Council, Unitatis Redintegratio and Nostra Aetate (1965); St. John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint ; Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, The Ecumenical Dimension of the Formation of Those Engaged in Pastoral Work (1997) and “The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable”: Rom 11:29 (2015); and Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Dialogue in Truth and Charity : Pastoral Orientations for Interreligious Dialogue (2014). 415 See Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 57; Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, The Theological Formation of Future Priests , nos. 102-106. 416 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 169. 417 See Congregation for Catholic Education, Directives on the Formation of Seminarians Concerning Problems Related to Marriage and the Family (1995). 418 See Optatam Totius , no. 16n36; CIC, c. 252 §3.

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