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REKINDLE
THE GIFT INTRODUCTION (This is a summary by Fr Vince Casey (Broken Bay
Diocese) of chapter vi of Pastores Dabo Vobis
(I Will Give You Shepherds), the document that emerged from the 1990 Synod on
priesthood. Chapter vi especially addresses the ongoing formation of priests;
the education process that continues after seminary.) In
October 1990 the bishops of the world met at a synod in Rome to consider the
formation of priests in the circumstances of the present day. The Post-Synodal
Apostolic Exhortation of John Paul H which came out in March 1992 was called Pastores
Dabo Vobis, quoting Jeremiah, ”I will give you shepherds after my own
heart” Ger.3:15). In this document the Pope says there is an essential aspect
of the priest that does not change: the priest of tomorrow, no less than the
priest of today, must resemble Christ (n.5). But the priests of a new generation
display different characteristics to their immediate predecessors. Recognising
these differences, the Pope is concerned with the process of formation for the
priesthood and the quality of priestly life. (n.3) The
Exhortation considers the nature of priesthood (chapters 1 - Ill), vocations
(chapter IV), formation. in the seminary (chapter V) and the ongoing or
permanent formation of priests (chapter VI). It is this last chapter which is
presented here. REKINDLE THE GIFT In
the title of this chapter the Pope quotes Paul's advice to Timothy, “I remind
you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you” (2 Tim 1:6). He urges
priests not to neglect the gift they received at their ordination. (i).
theological reasons We
all need ongoing formation to come to maturity and to ensure the relevance of
our work. The reason for ongoing formation of priests, however, is
contained in the dynamism of the sacrament of holy orders which touches the
priest's entire being and involves his whole life. The fundamental choice the
priest made at his ordination is expressed anew and reaffirmed through the years
of his priesthood in countless other responses. Ongoing formation is necessary
to help the priest remain faithful to his priestly ministry, which is a process
of continual conversion. Ongoing
formation is also necessary to ensure that the priest can properly respond to
the fundamental right of Cod's people to receive the word of God, the sacraments
and the service of charity. (n. 70) (ii). different dimensions Ongoing
formation is a continuation of the formation received in the seminary. It is a
process of constant growth, deepening and integrating each of the aspects of
formation: human, spiritual intellectual and pastoral. (n. 71) The
priest needs to develop and sharpen his human sensitivity so as to meet and
enter into dialogue with all people and be recognised as similar to Jesus
Christ, our high priest who is able to sympathise with our weakness'(Heb 4:15). In
his spiritual life the priest is called to constantly open himself to a genuine
personal encounter with Jesus, a trusting dialogue with the Father and a deep
experience of the Spirit. A
commitment to study and a disciplined familiarity with modem culture are a
necessary part of intellectual formation if the priest is to faithfully proclaim
the Word clearly and without ambiguity, distinguishing it from mere human
opinions. Pastoral
formation enables the priest to discern the call of the Spirit in his historical
circumstances and to seek the most suitable methods and useful forms for
carrying out his ministry today. Pastoral
charity harmonises these aspects of formation achieving their inner unity in the
priest himself. (iii). the profound meaning Ongoing formation helps the priest to be and act
as a priest in the spirit and style of Jesus, the good shepherd. (n. 73) It encourages the priest to grow in awareness of the
deep communion he shares with the People of God, especially in the diocese in
which he is incardinated. The priest is called to grow in and with his own
presbyterate, in union with his bishop. Together they are to be a true family
which excludes no-one: young priests, middle and older age groups, those facing
difficulties, those who have left the active ministry. Religious priests living
and working in a diocese also belong to the one presbyterate and are called to
put their charism at the service of the diocese. (n. 74) Ongoing formation encourages the priest to be aware of
his share in the Church’s saving mission and to carry it out with fidelity and
generosity. iv. at every age and in all conditions of
life Ongoing formation is always part of the priest's life,
but will differ according to the priest’s age, duties and conditions of life. Young priests need to continue the
formation they began in the seminary, to find a balanced approach to priestly
life and to be inserted into the presbyterate. It is important that they help
one another, but also be provided with appropriate guides and teachers. (n. 76) In middle age the priest risks an exaggerated
activism or routine approach to ministry and in older years there can be
an interior fatigue and disillusionment. Ongoing formation encourages vigilance
so the priest always approaches his mission as a ‘man of
God'. It is vital that the presbyterate expresses gratitude
to elderly priests for their years of faithful service and reassures them
in practical ways of the vital part they still play in the presbyterate. Priests who are ill should not isolate
themselves but, while reducing their workload, be encouraged in activities that
maintain their motivation and priestly joy. (n. 77) v. agents of ongoing formation The
relationships and sharing of life between the priest and his community are
fundamental to his ongoing formation. While offering the community his priestly
service throughout his entire life, it is important that he be able to draw from
his people a precious spiritual nourishment. Each
member of the community can help by ensuring that the priest is allowed time for
personal study and prayer, by supporting his priestly mission and by
establishing cordial relations with him. (n. 78) Families,
and especially the priest’s own family, have a significant role to play in
supporting and sharing in his mission. The
bishop, together with the presbyterate, is responsible for establishing a
program for ongoing formation. Where necessary a diocese may join with
neighbouring dioceses or ask for help from those involved in the formation of
priests. The
individual priest is primarily responsible for his own ongoing formation. If he
is convinced of its need he will use the opportunities, times and forms in which
it comes. (n. 79) vi. key opportunities While every moment can be an opportunity for ongoing
formation, there are certain privileged moments such as: ·meetings of the bishop with his presbyterate ·spiritual gatherings of priests ·study workshops ·the common life shared by priests who live or work
together ·priestly associations ·spiritual direction
(n. 80) THANKS God promises the Church not just any sort of shepherds,
but shepherds after his own heart, revealed in the heart of Jesus the good
shepherd. This promise is alive and at work in the compassion - in the hearts -
of priests. The Pope concludes the Exhortation with an expression
of thanks: “In communion with the synod fathers and in the name
of all the bishops of the world and the entire community of the Church 1 wish to
express all the gratitude which your faithfulness and service deserve.” (n.
82)
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