PROTECT INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION IN SEMINARIES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received participants in the Congregation for Catholic Education's plenary session, which began today in the Vatican.

John Paul II affirmed that during the activity of the coming days, participants will study a paper entitled "Guidelines for the use of psychology in the admission and formation of candidates to the priesthood. This document is proposed as a useful instrument for formators who are called to discern candidates' suitability and vocation with a view to the good of the candidates themselves and of the Church."

The psychological sciences, he said, must be integrated into the framework of a candidate's overall formation, safeguarding the "value of and time dedicated to spiritual guidance." Psychology "does not eliminate all difficulties and tensions, but favors a broader awareness and a freer exercise of liberty so as to be able - with the invaluable support of grace - to engage in an open and frank struggle (with those difficulties)."

The Pope went on to stress that the formation given in seminaries must be "of the highest level from both an intellectual and spiritual point of view. Candidates must be introduced to the practice of prayer, meditation and personal asceticism."

"It is especially necessary to nourish the students' joy in their own vocation. Celibacy for the Kingdom of God must be presented as a choice that is eminently favorable to the joyful announcement of the Risen Christ."

He added: "You also wish to discuss the formation of students of Canon Law. ... In present circumstances, the Church needs specialists in this field in order to tackle the juridical and pastoral questions, that are more complex today than they were in the past."

The Holy Father concluded by underlining "the vital task of the Pontifical Work for Ecclesiastical Vocations which, since 1941, has been accompanying and encouraging vocational pastoral care." On this subject, he recalled the third Continental Congress on vocations to ordained ministry and to the consecrated life, due to be held this April in Montreal, Canada, following those held in Latin America and Europe. He expressed the hope that it may "cause a renewed vocational commitment to grow in local Churches, and a more generous enthusiasm to develop among Christians of the 'New World'."

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