Catholic Seminaries in Australia 1835-2023: Part 10

Peter Wilkinson continues his series on the hoistry of Semenaries in Australia, Part 10 has a focus on Pope John Paul II and the Revised Code of Canon Law.

During Vatican II a small minority of bishops (10-15 per cent) were adamantly opposed to the emerging trends, had no confidence in the Council’s vision and, after the Council, did everything they could to block the reform process. While Paul VI himself was enthusiastic for the Council’s vision and reform agenda, he was unable able to implement them. He died in August 1978 and was succeeded by John Paul I whose pontificate lasted just 33 days. The next pope, John Paul II, was elected on 16 October 1978.

1983 Revised Code of Canon Law for seminary formation

The 1967 First Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops had called for a revision of the Code of Canon Law to codify the reforms of Vatican II. Pope John Paul II promulgated the Revised Code of Canon Law in January 1983, and it came into force on 27 November 1983.

The revised canons (cc. 232-264) on ‘The Formation of Clerics’ made it clear that ‘the Church has the duty and proper and exclusive right to form those who are designated for the sacred ministries’ (c. 232) and that it is ‘the entire Christian community’ which has the duty of fostering vocations (c. 233).

Minor seminaries, where they exist, are to be preserved and fostered, and if a bishop judges it expedient, can open a new one (c. 234).

1983 Revised Code of Canon Law

Major seminaries, which should be established in every diocese where possible, are to provide young men intending to enter the priesthood with a suitable spiritual formation and preparation for their duties throughout their entire formation, which must be a minimum of 4 years. Candidates residing outside the seminary are to be entrusted to a suitable priest for their spiritual formation.

Regional or inter-diocesan seminaries require the approval of the Holy See for their erection and statutes (cc. 235, 237) and each seminary legitimately erected has a juridic personality in the Church and is represented by the seminary rector (c. 238). A seminary is exempt from parochial governance, and the rector has the role of pastor for all its residents (c. 262).

Every seminary is to have a rector, vice-rector, director of studies, finance officer, suitable teachers (if studies are conducted in-house), at least one spiritual director, and statutes which provide for the moderators, teachers and students to participate in the responsibility of the rector, especially regarding discipline (c. 239).

The rector and director of studies are to ensure that the candidates observe the formation program, and the teaching staff fulfil their function (c. 261). There are to be ordinary and visiting confessors, but their and the spiritual director’s opinion must never be sought when decisions are being made about dismissal or admission to orders (c. 240).

Each nation is to have a local program of priestly formation (ratio nationalis), prepared by the Episcopal Conference for the particular circumstances and pastoral needs of the nation, and approved by the Holy See (c. 242). Each seminary in the nation is to have its own rules approved by the diocesan bishop (or group of bishops in the case of a regional seminary), which must conform with the national program (c. 243).

The seminary program is to harmoniously integrate spiritual formation and doctrinal instruction, so that the candidate acquires the spirit of the Gospel, a close relationship with Christ, and appropriate human maturity (c. 244). Through spiritual formation the candidate is to be equipped for pastoral ministry, formed in a missionary spirit, learn to cultivate those virtues highly valued in human relations, be imbued with a love of the Church, be closely attached to his own bishop as a faithful co-worker, and work collaboratively with his brother priests (c. 245).

The Eucharist is to be the centre of the entire life of the seminary, and candidates are to be formed in the liturgy of the hours, encouraged to venerate the Virgin Mary, use mental prayer and other pious exercises to strengthen their vocation, use the sacrament of penance frequently, and to make an annual retreat (c. 246). All candidates are to be prepared to observe celibacy, honour it as a special gift of God, and be informed of its duties, burdens, and difficulties (c. 247).

The academic program is to provide an extensive and solid education in the sacred disciplines together with a general culture appropriate to the time and place so that they can teach the Gospel to their people in a manner suited to their understanding (c. 248). While candidates are to be taught in their native language, they should be given an understanding of Latin and other languages suited to their ministry (c. 249). The academic program is to be at least 6 full years, including 2 years of philosophy and 4 years of theology (c. 250).

The philosophy course should be grounded in a valid heritage and examine the developments over time, so that it assists the candidate’s human development, sharpens his mind, and prepares him for his theological studies (c. 251). The theology program should give the candidate an understanding of the entire Catholic doctrine grounded in divine revelation which will nourish his spiritual life. Sacred scripture should be taught comprehensively, and dogmatic theology grounded in scripture and tradition. The academic program is also to include moral theology, canon law, liturgy, and church history (c. 252).

Each seminary is to have a director of studies for the entire academic curriculum, so that candidates understand that they are learning one science and are enabled to examine questions through research and scientific methodology under the direction of their teachers (c. 254).

The pastoral program must influence the entire formation of the candidate, providing the principles and skills needed for his ministry of teaching, sanctifying and governing in his own particular place and time (c. 255). These will include homiletic and catechetical skills, liturgical practices (especially those of the sacraments), relationships with people (including other Christians and non-believers), and parish administration (c. 256).

The candidate is to be made aware that he should show concern not just for the diocese in which he is incardinated, but also for the universal Church, and should be prepared to offer his ministry to other churches which are in grave need (c. 257). During the academic program and during vacations, the candidate is to be given practical pastoral formation suited to his age and under the direction of a skilled priest (c. 258).

Responsibilities of the diocesan bishop

Under the Revised Code of Canon Law, the diocesan bishop has many and grave responsibilities. He must decide on the governance and administrative issues
of his diocesan seminary (for regional seminaries it is the relevant bishops jointly), he must visit the seminary frequently, watch over the formation program carefully, and keep himself informed of each candidate’s vocation, character, piety and progress (c. 259).

It is his responsibility to select and appoint only well qualified teaching staff who are also outstanding in virtue (c. 253). He is to provide for the establishment and maintenance of the seminary, the support of the candidates, and the remuneration of staff (C. 263), and if he wishes can impose a tax for this purpose (c. 264).

If a candidate for the priesthood in his diocese wishes to offer his services to another diocese in grave need, the diocesan bishop should ensure that he is suitably prepared with the language of the other diocese as well as its social conditions and customs (c. 257).

The gravest responsibility of the diocesan bishop, however, is to judge wisely who should be admitted to the major seminary. He must consider the candidate’s human, moral, spiritual and intellectual qualities, his physical and psychological health, and his correct intention. He must examine all the required documentation and, if a candidate has been dismissed from another seminary, review the testimony of the superior of that seminary as well as the reasons for his dismissal or departure (.c 241).

Canons 1024-1052 specify the requirements for valid and licit ordination, but prior to ordaining a candidate for priesthood, the diocesan bishop must have ‘moral certainty’ that he is suitable for priestly ministry, is useful for the local church (or religious institute) into which he is incardinated and for the universal Church, and that he will be able to fulfil his ministerial obligations (c. 1025).

Candidates for the priesthood must be formed by careful preparation (c. 1027), and before they are promoted to any sacred order, the diocesan bishop (or competent superior) must be sure that they have been properly instructed about their obligations (c. 1028), have integral faith, right intention, requisite knowledge, good reputation, integral morals, proven virtues and other physical and psychological qualities suited to the order (c. 1029).

Every candidate for the priesthood must request in writing the liturgical rite of admission (c. 1034), receive the orders of lector and acolyte (c. 1035), make a personal handwritten declaration that he will receive the order of diaconate or priesthood of his own accord and freely, will devote himself perpetually to the sacred ministry (c. 1036), accept the obligation of celibacy (c. 1037), and make a spiritual retreat (c. 1039).

Prior to ordination, the diocesan bishop (or competent religious superior) must examine the required documentation – including completion of seminary formation – (c. 1050), and the testimonial of the seminary rector regarding the individual candidate’s doctrinal soundness, genuine piety, good morals, aptitude for ministry, and physical and psychic health (c. 1051).

Before conferring ordination, the ordaining bishop must have examined all the required documentation and be satisfied by positive arguments that the suitability of the candidate has been proven. If he has any doubts, he is not to ordain the candidate (c. 1052).