Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 370

Pastoral Dimension

and the suffering. In the course of these encounters, they learn to cultivate a preferential option for the poor. They also need to become aware of the social contexts and structures that can breed injustice as well as ways of promoting more just contexts and structures. l. Ministry to all walks of life : As much as possible, pastoral assignments are to give seminarians experience with all age groups in the Church; it is important they are taught to bring the mercy and love of God to everyone. In particular, the sick, the elderly, the disabled, those who live in isolation (such as migrants), and prisoners deserve particular attention. 451 The social sciences serve pastoral theology by assisting future priests in grasping the context of ministry in all walks of life. m. Leadership development : Pastoral formation means that seminarians learn how to take spiritual initiatives and direct a community into action or movement. That leadership also includes a dimension of practical administration. The pastoral formation program should provide opportunities for seminarians to acquire the basic administrative skills necessary for effective pastoral leadership, recognizing that programs of continuing education and ongoing formation will be necessary to equip newly ordained priests to assume future responsibilities as pastors. Additional leadership skills include an ability to manage the physical and financial resources of the parish, including educating parishioners about the Gospel value of stewardship, supervising staff and volunteers, making effective use of pastoral and finance councils, and organizing parochial life effectively to achieve the goals of evangelization. It is important to recognize that lay persons, especially those working at diocesan offices, bring an essential expertise. Further, the experience of seasoned pastors is invaluable, as is the development of working relationships between future priests and diocesan officials.

451 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 124.

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