ACADEMIC ASPECTS OF PRIESTLY FORMATION IN THE 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW

• Published in: Studia canonica Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 437 - 471
• Main Author: NOBEL, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, ON Université Saint-Paul, Faculté de droit canonique 01.07.2008; Studia Canonica
• Subjects: Canon law; Catholicism; Christianity; Clergy; Contemporary period; General subjects; History and sciences of religions; Law; Studies; Code 1983; Spiritual education; Theological education; Priest; Canonical Law; Formation
• ISSN: 0039-310X

RESUMÉ Aux canons 244-258, le Code de 1983 identifie des principes fondamentaux pour la formation au presbytérat. Cette étude examine les modifications législatives depuis le CIC/1917 et offre des observations sur différents aspects de la formation presbytérale, spécialement en distinguant ce qui est essentiel pour la formation académique. Seulement quelques normes portent sur la promotion des candidats d'âge mûr, la majorité se concentrant sur les jeunes hommes ayant l'intention d'être ordonnés au presbytérat. La formation académique est acquise au grand séminaire ou dans une université, un collège ou une faculté. Dans le Code, le législateur n'offre que la structure de la formation presbytérale. Les autres détails concernant le programme de six ans d'études se retrouvent dans la Ratio fundamentalis institutionis sacerdotalis , une ratio nationalis et une ratio localis. Le but de la formation presbytérale est une éducation théorique et pratique et une formation des futurs prêtres qui soient adéquates. The 1983 Code says that, if possible, every diocese should have its own major seminary for priesthood formation; this corresponds to CIC/1917 canon 1354, § 2 and 3. While drafting the Code the consultors of the coetus De populo Dei, in considering the 1977 Schema De populo Dei, canon 87, agreed that in every diocese a major seminary is to be erected. Furthermore, if necessary and possible, one or more seminaries should be erected for the territory of a conference of bishops or for several dioceses within an ecclesiastical region.38 One consultor pointed out the different preconditions for the erection or continuation of seminaries mentioned in 1970 Ratio fundamentalis, n. 21.39 The 1980 Schema, canon 208, contained this norm in two paragraphs to provide in more detail these two main aspects; canon 208, § 1 referred to the erection of a major seminary in a diocese, and said that seminarians from a diocese without a major seminary can receive their formation in these already existing seminaries.40 Cunningham points out three different models of the academic formation of priestly candidates in relation to a major seminary: "Freestanding, a self-contained institution which provides all the components of formation; university-rehted, where parts of the program are provided by a college or university other than the seminary; and collaborative, wherein faculty and other resources are shared among several seminaries with each one usually providing its own spiritual formation."41 Canon 208, §2 referred to the erection and governance of an interdiocesan seminary. Canon 260 identifies the responsibilities of the rector in a major seminary.71 The rector is responsible for its daily operation in accord with the regulations of priestly formation and the statutes of the seminary; CÍC/1917 canon 1358 had already established these functions. The regulations of each seminary constituted its so-called ratio localis, approved by the diocesan bishop (or, in case of an interdiocesan seminary, approved by all diocesan bishops involved: canon 243). In addition to governing the seminary, the rector is to participate in the diocesan synod (canon 463, §1 n. 6) and, if elected by the rectors of the seminaries which are located in the province, to participate at a particular council with deliberative vote (canon 443, §3 n. 4).72 Canon 260 also states that everyone who works or lives in the seminary must obey its rector; this corresponds to CÍC/1917, canon 1360, §2.