Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Program of Priestly Formation

safe environment guidelines and to maintain proper boundaries in all relationships, especially with minors and other vulnerable individuals. If a seminarian violates appropriate boundaries with adults or minors, including the sexual abuse of a minor, immediate action must be taken in accordance with diocesan or eparchial policies, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People , and Canon and civil law. By the end of the configuration stage the seminarian can organize a homily around a central point. He can reflect theologically on pastoral issues. He learns that offering his life in service to the Church involves understanding and following the will of Christ in the person of his diocesan bishop or the competent authority of an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life. The seminarian’s continued growth in confidence allows him to discern and continue to discover how God will use his unique talents in ordained ministry. Given that he will be entrusted with the temporal goods of the Church, he also demonstrates the ability to manage his own personal finances. He also remains free from unnecessary debt. VOCATIONAL SYNTHESIS STAGE BENCHMARKS As in the other stages, during this stage the pastoral dimension of formation can be presented in terms of pastoral knowledge, pastoral skills, pastoral discernment, and pastoral charity. Regarding pastoral knowledge, the deacon demonstrates “a capacity for critical observation” so that he “can discern true and false values, since this is an essential requirement of establishing a constructive dialogue with the world of today.” 457 It is essential that he demonstrates the ability to celebrate the sacraments and liturgies of the Church validly, licitly, and confidently, and that he also develops a knowledge about and understanding of the role of various movements and apostolates that

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457 Ecclesia in America , no. 40.

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