New Program of Priestly Formation raises bar on seminary admission

Published: 2005-05-26

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A revised Program of Priestly Formation that the U.S. bishops will be asked to adopt in June is far more explicit than the current program on criteria for admission to a seminary. The program, which must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the bishops and approved by the Vatican before it takes effect, sets national norms and principles that must be applied in all U.S. seminaries. Like the fourth edition in 1992, the fifth edition of the program speaks of four dimensions of formation that seminarians must develop and integrate in their years of preparation for priesthood: intellectual, pastoral, spiritual and human. Those dimensions were spelled out by Pope John Paul II in "Pastores Dabo Vobis" ("I Will Give You Shepherds"), a 1992 document on priestly formation issued only months before the fourth edition was adopted.

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