1. 2018 NFPC Golden Jubilee Convocation
Looking Forward: Ministry Preparation for Priests in the Church of the 21st Century
April 24, 2018
by Sister Katarina Schuth, O.S.F. Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity University of St. Thomas, Minnesota

2. Overview: Ministry Preparation for Priests
Part I. Background: Seminary Formation Developments from Vatican II Onward Part II. Noteworthy Program Changes Recently Implemented by Seminaries Part III. Areas for Further Development in Seminary Formation for the Future Conclusion

3. A. Major Church Documents Concerned with Seminary Formation
Optatam totius, 1965 (Decree on Priestly Training) Vatican II Document (Previous major universal Church document on seminaries was the Council of Trent’s Decree on Seminaries: 1563)
A Basic Scheme for Priestly Formation, 1970 Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis; revised 1985
Programs of Priestly Formation (PPF) Five editions by USCCB between 1971 and 2005; 6th edition in process
Pastores dabo vobis (PDV) I Will Give You Shepherds, Pope John Paul II: 1992
The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis: 2016

4. Optatam Totius, 1965: Vatican Council II Decree on Priestly Training
Acknowledges the “extreme importance of priestly training”
Optatam Totius directed episcopal conferences to adapt their Programs of Priestly Formation to local circumstances and times so as to be in harmony with the pastoral needs of each one

5. Goals of Optatam Totius
Pastoral education is to permeate formation so that seminarians are prepared to serve the needs of all in all circumstances. Goals are:
to break from the isolation of seminary life,
to learn the art of exercising the apostolate both theoretically and practically, and
to take on responsibility as leaders, acting maturely on their own and in harmony with others.
Corresponding
NFPC DATA POINTS:
1967–NFPC is conceived of and developed as a national priest assembly based on the Vatican II Decree on Priestly Life and Ministry
1968 – Constitutional Convention held in Chicago with 284 priests in attendance from around the U.S.

6. Areas of Emphasis in Optatam Totius
1. The centrality of pastoral training, thus breaking from the isolation of seminary life
2. Spiritual training, including celibacy and awareness of the necessity of seminarians giving over their lives for service, not for honors
3. Connecting philosophical and theological studies with the modern world
4. Sacred Liturgy considered as primary and Sacred Scripture to be strongly emphasized
5. Integration of all aspects of formation – spiritual, academic, and pastoral

7. Pastores Dabo Vobis, 1992 “I Will give you Shepherds”
Written in response to the 1990 Synod of Bishops on priestly formation
Goal: to update and contextualize priestly formation, in light of present day circumstances
Introduced Human Formation as one of four formation areas

8. Purpose of Pastores Dabo Vobis
Corresponding
NFPC DATA POINTS:
1970s onward – Numerous publications launched
Examples:
1970 – The Priests Forum
1977 – The Laborer is Worthy of His Hire
1985 – Touchstone Quarterly
1991 – Priestless Parishes
2004 – Stewards of God’s Mysteries
2006 – International Priests in America
2017 – National Diocesan Survey on Salary and Benefits
All of formation is to be oriented to the formation of true shepherds of souls after the model of our Lord Jesus Christ, teacher, priest and shepherd.

9. Pastores Dabo Vobis on Formation
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5)
Formation must have a fundamentally pastoral character, which unifies and gives specificity to the whole of formation of future priests
It must be directed toward ever-deeper communion with the pastoral charity of Jesus
Especially important is evangelical discernment of the socio-cultural and ecclesial situation

10. Objectives of Pastores Dabo Vobis
The Seminary must initiate the candidate:
into the sensitivity of being a shepherd,
in the conscious and mature assumption of responsibilities,
in the interior habit of evaluating problems,
in establishing priorities, and
in looking for solutions…
In today’s circumstances, what other goals do you think should be emphasized?

11. Program of Priestly Formation (2005 - 5th PPF)
Formation is intended to teach seminarians to be accountable for the care, guidance, and leadership of communities:
Corresponding
NFPC DATA POINTS:
2004 – Culmination of the 25th anniversary of Spiritual Renewal of the American Priesthood
2005 – Outreach, e.g., through the Relief Fund for Priests in New Orleans established after Hurricane Katrina
through their human personality as a bridge,
through personal witness of faith rooted in their spiritual life, and
through their knowledge of faith

12. Dimensions of Formation Integrated in the PPF
All four dimensions of formation are to be interwoven and develop concurrently. “Still, in a certain sense, pastoral formation is the culmination of the entire formation process” (PPF #236).

13. Bishops Who Served on PPF Committees Contributed Considerably to the Focus of Each Edition
The interests and emphases of the Church differed during the pontificates of each Pope who had named the Bishops who eventually became Committee Members for the PPF editions
PPF Edition
Pius XI
Pius XII
John XXIII
Paul VI
John Paul II
Benedict
XVI
Francis st 1 7 6 9 -- nd 12 rd 10 th 2 th 11
2020? 6th 5

14. References to Vatican II in the Five Editions of the Program of Priestly Formation
Document
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Optatam Totius
(Decree on Priestly Training) 40 47 43 13 15
Lumen Gentium
(Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) 10 11 6 4
All Other References to Documents
(# of other documents used) 28
(9) 33 19
(7) 26
(8)
Total 78 91 68 54 38
General References to Vatican II
(Not to specific documents) 36
Grand Total
104
131 67 53

15. Use of Other Documents in the Five Editions of the Program of Priestly Formation
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Pastores Dabo Vobis (1992)
I Will Give You Shepherds 85 76
Codex Juris Canonici (1983)
Code of Canon Law 23 91
Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (1970)
Basic Plan for Priestly Formation 3 10 4 8 6
Sacerdotalis Caelibatus (1967)
On the Celibacy of the Priest

16. Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis
“The Gift of the Priestly Vocation”
Corresponding
NFPC DATA POINTS:
2000s – Hosted retreats, conventions, and consultations, and
continued publishing – Celebrated the
40th Anniversary
2018 – Golden Jubilee Convocation - The U.S. Priesthood: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Promulgated by the Congregation for the Clergy
This document (and its predecessor) is intended as a guide for the universal Church. The earlier version was published in 1970 and revised in The newest edition was published in 2016.

17. The Human Dimension Ratio #94
It is the foundation of all priestly formation and promotes the integral growth of the person and allows the integration of all its dimensions.
Physically, this means an interest in health, nutrition, physical activity, and rest.
Psychologically, it focuses on the constitution of a stable personality, characterized by emotional balance, self-control, and a well integrated sexuality.
Morally, it is connected to the requirement that the individual arrive gradually at a well-formed conscience.

18. The Spiritual Dimension Ratio #101
Focused on personal union with Christ, born of and nourished in a particular way by prolonged and silent prayer
Relationship with the Word of God holds a preeminent place in the process of spiritual growth
Directed at nourishing and sustaining communion with God and with our brothers and sisters, in the friendship of Jesus the good Shepherd, and with an attitude of docility to the Holy Spirit

19. The Intellectual Dimension Ratio #116
Aimed at achieving a solid competence in philosophy and theology, along with a more general educational preparation
PURPOSE:
To allow seminarians to proclaim the gospel message to the people of our own day in a way that is credible and can be understood
To enable them to enter in to fruitful dialogue with the contemporary world
To uphold the truth of the faith by the light of reason, thereby revealing its beauty

20. The Pastoral Dimension Ratio #119
Designed to assist seminarians as follows:
To acquire the inner freedom to live the apostolate as service
To be able to see the work of God in the hearts and lives of the people
To begin to see himself as a group leader and to be present as a man of communion:
by listening and careful discernment of situations
by cooperating with others and encouraging their ‘ministeriality’

21. B. Facts about Seminaries and the Church
Currently 39 seminaries/schools of theology are operating; most enroll seminarians and lay students
30 are mainly for diocesan candidates
9 are primarily for religious order candidates
almost all theologates enroll some lay students
Average Ages
by Years
Number Percent
< 30
30 – 39
> 40
TOTAL
Seminarians
(Theology)
53.8%
(by 2017
66%)
30.8%
15.6%
18,306
Lay Ministry Students
14.2%
18.8%
67.0%
(37.2 are over 50)
Approximately
15,000

22. Seminary Enrollment
Enrollment of seminarians in theology declined sharply
from a high of 8,480 in 1961
to around 3,500 since the 1990s
to 3,369 in
Diocesan seminarian numbers have recently increased somewhat to 2,622 in
Religious order seminarian numbers have declined to a low of 747 in
Lay ecclesial ministry students first enrolled in the 1970s; their numbers have risen and declined unevenly since then, from about 2,500 to 3,000

23. Vocational Status of Faculty by Year
1985
1995
2005
2015
Difference
Diocesan priests
32.5%
33.2%
28.1%
30.5%
-2.0%
Men religious
43.7
32.8
28.7
25.5
-18.2
ALL PRIESTS
76.2
66.0
56.8
56.0
-20.2
Laymen
9.8
14.6
22.0
25.3
+15.5
ALL MEN
86.0
80.6
78.8
81.3
-4.7
Laywomen
3.7
6.6
12.3
13.8
+10.1
Women religious
10.4
12.8
8.9
4.9
-5.5
ALL WOMEN
14.1
19.4
21.2
18.7
+4.6

24. Basic Church Statistics: U.S. (1)
1965
1985
2005
2010
2017
Total Catholics
45.6 m.
52.3 m.
64.8 m.
68.5 m.
71.2 m.
Diocesan Priests
35,925
35,052
28,886
27,614
26,239
Religious Priests
22,707
22,265
14,520
13,174
11,720
Total Priests:
Dioc. and Rel.
58,632
57,317
43,422
40,788
37,959
Parishes/ Missions
22,184
22,793
22,198
21,052
20,078
Data from The Official Catholic Directory

25. Basic Church Statistics: U.S. (2)
1965
1985
2005
2010
2017
Lay Ecclesial Ministers
Less than 3,000 est.
15,000 est.
30,632 (DeLambo)
37,929 (NALM)
40,000 est.
Permanent Deacons
None
7,204
15,027
17,165
18,938
Sisters
179,954
115,386
69,963
58,724
46,592
Brothers
12,271
7,544
5,517
4,737
4,048
Seminarians
(CARA Report)
8,325
4,063
3,308
3,483
3,405
Total Ministering*
253,857
202,451
164,561
159,343
147,537
*Includes Priests, Lay Ministers, Permanent Deacons, Sisters, and Brothers
Data from The Official Catholic Directory, except as noted

26. Part II. Noteworthy Changes Implemented in Seminaries in Recent Years
A. Development of Human Formation
Programs
Expansion of Pastoral Experiences
through Field Education in Parishes
and Other Settings
Sharper Focus on Priestly Life and
Ministry

27. A. Development of Human Formation Programs
First and most noteworthy change in seminary programs:
Addition of a separate program of human formation, based on directives in PDV, which offered a new approach
Purpose: “Ultimately human formation aims to foster the growth of a man who will be an apt instrument of Christ’s grace in his priesthood, one who takes seriously celibacy, obedience, and simplicity of life” (PPF V, #76).

28. Emphasis and Rationale of Human Formation
Emphasis: The role of celibacy is treated at length in the 2005 PPF and presents the topic at greater length and in a more persuasive manner than ever before. Formation for celibacy is to be aimed toward an affective maturity - the ability to live a true and responsible love.
Rationale: Rapid cultural changes are felt far and wide:
loss of religious sensibilities in modern societies
breakdown of family systems, and
excessive use of technology
Response to these have created a need for development of certain human qualities for effective priestly ministry.

29. Objectives of Human Formation
To some extent, the following characteristics were emphasized to respond to clergy sexual abuse:
Emotional maturity, with the personality necessary for priestly ministry in the contemporary Church
Integrity in all actions and relationships
Moral conscience that values the dignity of each person and is manifested in admirable moral behavior
Credible public witnesses responsible for themselves and others in the exercise of ministry
Capacity for friendships and priestly fraternity to assist in formation and in future ministry

30. B. Expansion of Pastoral Formation
During the past two decades, seminary faculty have made a concerted effort to enhance pastoral classes and experiences. The impetus originated with OT and was reinforced by PDV.
Attitudes toward and Characteristics of Pastoral Formation:
An open, ecumenical, and collaborative approach:
- flexibility of spirit that is able to make adjustments for new and unexpected circumstances;
availability to those who serve and those who are served;
zeal (an ardent desire) to bring all people closer to the Lord
Cultivation of desirable personal qualities:
a spirit of collaboration
a sense of responsibility for initiating and completing tasks
an ability to facilitate resolution of conflict

31. Goals of Pastoral Experiences
To acquire the inner freedom to live the apostolate as service
To be able to see the work of God in the hearts and lives of the people
To see himself as a group leader and to be present as a man of communion (Ratio 2016 #119)
Field experiences in pastoral settings have become more diverse, but they must be assessed continuously to be certain they match changing demographics and the spiritual needs of those living in a radically pluralistic world

32. Competencies for Pastoral Formation
“The call to be pastors of the People of God requires a formation that makes future priests experts in the art of pastoral discernment” (2016 Ratio #120).
Reinforce aptitudes and attitudes that are encouraged in Human Formation so that Pastoral Formation is enriched and fruitful in preparation of future ministers:
be able to listen deeply to real situations
be capable of good judgement in making choices and decisions
be free from the temptations to abstraction, to self-promotion, and to excessive self-assurance and aloofness

33. C. Sharper Focus on Priestly Ministry
Formation for priestly ministry is being focused more on the primary responsibilities of priests:
Proclamation of the Word: emphasis on homiletics, a fundamental mission and responsibility of the priest
Effective public ministry: acquisition of certain skills, e.g., communicating the mysteries of faith in clear and readily comprehensible language, using media appropriately, and taking into consideration the social context
A personal synthesis for practical use: integration into pastoral practice aspects of human, spiritual, and intellectual formation
See Presbyterorum ordinis, no. 4 and PPF V #239

34. Leadership Development (PPF V, #239)
Since priests often are becoming pastors soon after ordination, seminarians are being introduced to effectively exercise leadership by:
learning to carry out spiritual initiatives
discovering how to guide a community into action and engagement
understanding how to employ dimensions of practical administration

35. Effects of Focus on Priestly Ministry
Intense focus on priestly ministry in seminaries is evident in the mission and vision statements of diocesan theologates and has had both beneficial and adverse consequences:
It has strengthened the focus of some programs, but has strained others financially due to decline in lay ecclesial student numbers
Where lay students continue to enroll in relatively high numbers, but are separated from seminarians, an effective means of promoting collaboration is lost

36. Part III. Areas for Further Development in Seminary Formation
A. Acquire a Balanced and Realistic View of the Church and Her Members B. Develop a More Thorough Understanding of the Impact of Secular Society and Culture C. Increase Authentic Collaboration and Mutual Appreciation among All Those Who Minister

37. A. Acquire a Balanced and Realistic View of the Church and Her Members
Essential: Preparation for ministry that includes a thorough knowledge of the Church as it exists wherever the newly ordained will be serving
External input: Consultation with diocesan, parish, and other institutional personnel must be regularly scheduled to keep seminary faculty and seminarians abreast of current developments
Internal input: Course content and field placement experiences must be reviewed and renewed in seminaries to take into account changes in ministry

38. Topics Relevant to an Accurate Perception of the State of Ministry
The realities of the present day and what changes are ongoing or likely to affect ministry in the future
Strength of Catholic identity and reasons for decline in church attendance in recent years
Uniting and polarizing factors that exists among parishioners, priests, and lay ministers
The strengths and shortcomings of parish staffing, and shifts that have taken place recently, as well as the degree of openness to new relationships and new ministries of staff

39. Other Elements of the Local Church (1)
Seminary faculty and students must be aware of:
The number and proportion of Catholics in the diocese or area of ministerial responsibility
Reasons for population growth or decline, for example, new immigrants arriving, or an aging population with few younger people remaining
The nature of diversity – ethnic, racial, educational, economic, level of commitment and enthusiasm
Liturgical and spiritual preferences, ability to understand the local language, especially for worship

40. Other Elements Affecting Church Ministry (2)
The predisposition and focus of diocesan leadership
Effects of major events in the diocese that are uplifting or debilitating
Number of priests now and in the past; their origins, ethnicity and age, familiarity with the diocese
Others ministering: religious sisters and brothers, deacons and lay ministers – their decline or growth
Number of parishes, parish sizes, openings or closures
Number of seminarians and others preparing for ministry; changes in numbers over time

41. Strength of Catholic Identity - 1987 to 2011
Level of Identity % Generational %
Low Medium High
Total Catholics 29 46 24
100
Pre-Vatican II 22 45 33 31 17 10
Vatican II 44 25 47 35
Post-Vatican II 27 50 40 34
Millennials 7 9 23
Adapted from: American Catholics Today, D’Antonio, Davidson, Hoge, Gautier, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., (Top chart pp. 11 and 21; text pp ) data from William D’Antonio, at

42. B. Influence of Secular Society and Culture
Greater knowledge of the secular world must be part of preparation for ministry in order to better understand what has alienated so many Catholics from the faith of their birth
Elements of both the micro-culture and the macro-culture have an effect on the Church
These factors need to be identified in order to grasp the impact they have on Church members
Once understood, consideration of how to change or adjust to the findings will be important

43. Impact of the Micro-culture on the Church
Pervasive effects of technology and media on individuals and families
Rise and influence of scientific knowledge
Effects of the destruction of the environment and the moral responsibility to care for the earth
To deal with these realities seminarians need to be “better prepared to confront the moral aspects of environmental degradation and the problems posed by advances in communication technologies.”
(From T. Howland Sanks, S.J., “Fully Formed: A customized approach to seminary education,” America Magazine, September 26, 2016)

44. Impact of the Macro-culture on the Church
Globalization, immigration, and population growth
Escalation of negative attitudes toward refugees
Criticism of the effects of the multicultural dimensions of society, accompanied by heightened racial and ethnic tensions
Politics and economic policies result in widespread poverty and inequity and affect societal affiliations

45. Reasons for Disaffiliation from the Church
Based on recent U.S. surveys of young adults (18-35)
Science and reason triumph over belief in the transcendent
Decline in belief in church teachings and growth in disagreement with them
Diminishing number of families practicing the faith
Cultural devaluation of the importance of religion
Clergy sex abuse scandals (may be responsible for 1/3 of those who disaffiliate)
Excessive political talk in parishes and by church leaders
Experience of personal traumatic event blamed on God
Results of various surveys by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (Georgetown), the Pew Foundation and others

46. Questions on Reasons for Leaving the Church
Questions need exploration and reflection in order to better understand what seems to have driven so many Catholics from the faith of their birth, especially those of the millennial generation:
Is it the quality of the ministry or of those who minister?
Is it the disposition of church members?
In what ways does it relate to the attractiveness and welcoming spirit of congregations?
How can negative cultural circumstances be addressed?
What can we learn from other religious groups about how to retain members?

47. C. Authentic Collaboration
Future priests and lay ministers need to become more aware of and taught the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for authentic collaboration and mutual appreciation at all levels
Collaborative relationships must be developed between older and younger priests, and among those who are ordained as priests and deacons with each other and with lay ecclesial ministers
Parishioners must be welcomed into active partnership by expanding opportunities for involvement in essential ministries in parishes and local communities

48. Discernment of Necessary Change
Without being self-justifying or self-protective, all church members and ministers will have to examine current practices to ascertain the adjustments that are needed to achieve desired outcomes
Concerted effort will be needed to foster more interaction and collaboration among all who belong to the Church – including those who participate and those who have drifted away
To inform the discussion about desirable changes, personal and communal prayer is needed, along with the study of new approaches and perspectives

49. The Importance of Ongoing Formation
Ongoing formation should be provided for all who are engaged in ministry in order to:
better relate to the situation of Church,
understand the influences of secular culture,
and enhance the practice of engaging in effective collaborative ministry
“This formation is required for growth in the path toward maturity, and is also needed in the exercise of priestly ministry. It is urgent today because of rapid changes in the social and cultural conditions and also because of the new evangelization, an essential and pressing task of the Church” (PDV #70).

50. Formation for Evangelization
Pope Francis calls attention to the kind of church needed today: one that “goes forth,” with open doors to all those outside its confines, the poor, the marginalized, the neglected, those without faith, the seekers amongst the young and the “nobodies” of this world.
(The Joy of the Gospel, #20-24)
What is needed to prepare to serve those on the periphery?

51. Conclusion: General Recommendations
Review all formation programs with the goal of gaining a clear understanding of the Church as it exists at present
Grow in knowledge about the impact of secular culture on religion and determine how it should influence formation for ministry
Teach future priests and lay ministers to engage in authentic collaboration and mutual appreciation
Honestly appraise what has alienated so many Catholics from the faith of their birth and find ways to change the pattern

52. Recommendations to Seminaries
Periodically review the prescribed curricula of college, pre-theology, and theology programs
Identify pastoral implications in every course
Provide faculty education, both initial and ongoing, about topics that have not been part of their specialized academic backgrounds
Engage in interaction with peers and others who share responsibility for seminary education
Pay special attention to maintaining admissions standards

53. Possible Tasks for NFPC to Influence Seminary Programs and Connect Seminarians with Priests
Engage in regular interaction with those who have authority and responsibility for ministry in the diocese/places of ministry and also with both seminary leaders and seminarians
Share information with seminary personnel your insights about characteristics and changing dynamics related to ministry settings
Communicate frequently with priests to ensure that they are well-informed not only about seminaries, but also about the changing dynamics in the Church and world that most affect their ministry

54. Presentation is based in part on research for the book:
Seminary Formation: Recent History Current Circumstances New Directions
Sr. Katarina Schuth, O.S.F., Ph.D. Saint Paul Seminary, University of St. Thomas 2260 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota USA
April 24, 2018