Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

21 PPF

Introduction

c. The Catholic Church in the United States continues to be firmly committed to and engaged in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and cooperation, something that “belongs to the very essence of” the community of the Lord’s disciples. 26 d. Globalization has underscored the need for greater coordination and deeper communion with the Church in other parts of the world. Ecclesia in America bears witness to this reality and responsibility, especially in our own hemisphere. e. The ministerial collaboration of priests with bishops, other priests, deacons, men and women in consecrated life, and lay men and women is an important feature of the life of the Church in the United States. f. The important presence and unique contribution of women in society and in the Church need to be acknowledged and nurtured. They offer an edifying example of humility, generosity, and selfless service. 27 g. The demographics of the Catholic Church in the United States demonstrate the challenging situation of fewer priests and a large Catholic population. h. There are large numbers of inactive or “semi-active” Catholics, as well as poorly catechized Catholics, who need to be called back to active participation in the life of the Church and, as needed, full initiation. i. The cultural acceptance of the individual’s right to exploration and expression of differences of belief brings Catholics in the United States into continuing and sometimes significant differences between their perceptions and the reality of what is essential to Catholic belief. These differences in perception strain many dimensions of the life of the Church and diminish the impact of the mission of the Church on society.

26 St. John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint ( On Commitment to Ecumenism , 1995), no. 9, www.vatican.va/content/ john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25051995_ut-unum-sint.html . 27 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 151.

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