German bishops emphasise synodality in new priest training guidance
‘The framework regulations clearly state that this approach to formation is intentional: that priestly formation is a shared process, that the journey is undertaken together.’
The German Bishops’ Conference published a new framework for the training of priests based on the Ratio fundamentalis approved by Pope Francis in 2016.
Bishop Michael Gerber of Fulda chaired the commission that prepared the document published on 28 April, the first revision since 2003. He said it had consulted different groups involved in the process, such as those responsible for training, theology professors and seminarians as well as the advisory council of victims of sexual violence.
He said there was also a constructive exchange with Rome regarding issues specific to the German context, such as the role of faculties of theology in state-funded universities. The framework is also aligned to the results of the study group of the Synod on Synodality which had been tasked with a revision of the Ratio fundamentalis.
Jan Lierz, chair of the German Seminary Speakers’ Conference, welcomed synodality as the document’s guiding principle.
“The framework regulations clearly state that this approach to formation is intentional: that priestly formation is a shared process, that the journey is undertaken together – with fellow seminarians, with formators, with other professional groups, and with the local community,” he said.
The document says the training of priests should be rooted a synodal style and in turn the formation for ministry on all levels should be fundamental for the building of a synodal culture in the Church.
“The Church of the future needs qualified priests who together with other members of the people of God in light of great challenges can shape the present in church and society,” said Gerber.
Training should be decentralised, alternating between living in the seminary and in parishes, the document recommends, suggesting that elements of training should be delivered alongside other pastoral professions and “competent women should be taken into responsibility at all levels of training”.
It says formation should not focus solely on the acquisition of specific skills but above all on personal development: “This means that the prospective priest gains as realistic a picture of himself as possible and finds a way to integrate new experiences throughout his life into a process of ongoing personal maturation.”
No comments:
Post a Comment