Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

PPF 471

Seminaries

unity of knowledge that finds its fulfillment in Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life.” 524

The professors should have advanced, preferably terminal, degrees in their teaching areas. 525 Professors in the sacred sciences, as well as philosophy, should possess a doctorate or licentiate from a university or institution recognized by the Holy See. 526 Priests who serve as professors should have appropriate experience in pastoral ministry.

467

As a general rule, professors for significant portions of the course of studies in the major theological disciplines should be priests. 527

468

Seminaries should establish long-range plans for development of professors. These must include plans for recruiting and supporting professors, as well as plans for professors to improve their teaching skills and scholarship. The nature of undergraduate study as a part of seminary formation during the discipleship stage, and the breadth of expertise required for a liberal arts education, means that the dedicated presence of many laymen and laywomen will play an especially important role at this level. By modeling a love for the Church as she is, a wholehearted fidelity to her teaching, a loyalty to the pope and bishops, an appreciation of the priesthood, and a collaborative spirit in ministry, men and women in consecrated life and laymen and laywomen who teach subjects in the sacred sciences make an important contribution to priestly formation on all levels. All professors must be dedicated to the total formation of the semi narians. Professors teach first by the quality of their lives. Professors— 524 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 142. 525 Due consideration must be given to the requirements of national or regional accrediting bodies. 526 See CIC, c. 253 §1; CCEO, cc. 340 §1, 351. 527 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 143.

469

470

471

209