Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Program of Priestly Formation

j. Within the Church, clericalism and abuse of power have had a corrosive effect. The scandalous and criminal behavior of some clergy who have abused minors and engaged in sexual misconduct with adults, including seminarians, has caused great suffering for the victims and damaged the Church’s witness in society. This scandal has resulted in a loss of credibility for the Church and an overall lack of respect for religion. Both the nation and the Church are summoned to renewal and to a greater integrity of life. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons adopted by the Catholic bishops in the United States in 2002 (revised in 2005, 2011, and 2018) provide an example of moving in this direction. Also providing a way forward are the apostolic letter motu proprio of Pope Francis titled Vos Estis Lux Mundi ( You Are the Light of the World ) and the documents adopted at the USCCB’s June 2019 general assembly. 28 (3) Finally, the Church in the United States continues to benefit from the blessings that the variety of men in initial formation for priesthood bring. They also, as in every age, bring some unique challenges as well. The background of men preparing for priestly ministry also forms an important context for priestly formation in the United States. a. They may be, for example, the following: i. Men who are older and who bring previous life and work experiences ii. Men born outside the United States who speak English as a second language iii. Men whose faith has been rediscovered and rekindled in a powerful way through significant religious experiences, and men who are converts to Catholicism 28 See USCCB, “Directives for the Implementation of the Provisions of Vos Estis Lux Mundi Concerning Bishops and their Equivalents,” “Acknowledging Our Episcopal Commitments,” and “Protocol Regarding Available Non-Penal Restrictions on Bishops,” in A Continuous and Profound Conversion of Hearts (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2019), 9-21.

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