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Insights into USCCB and Vocational Ministry: 2017 Conference Highlights

Explore USCCB's initiatives, seminary enrollment trends, PPF program, and Vocations & Admissions norms discussed at the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors in 2017.

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Insights into USCCB and Vocational Ministry: 2017 Conference Highlights

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  1. NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF DIOCESAN VOCATION DIRECTORS2017 The USCCB and Vocations Ministry

  2. Rev. Luke Ballman Associate Director Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations www.usccb.org

  3. USCCB and Vocations Ministry • USCCB 101 • PPF 101 • Vocations & Admissions • Use of Psychology • International Candidates

  4. USCCB 101 • National Catholic War Council (1917) • National Catholic Welfare Council (1919) • National Catholic Welfare Conference (1922) • NCCB & USCC (1966) • NCCB (Committees of Bishops & Secretariats) • USCC (addressed issues as part of larger society) • USCCB (2001)

  5. USCCB 1012017-2020 Priority Initiatives • Evangelization • Family and marriage • Human life and dignity • Vocations and ongoing formation • Religious freedom

  6. Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations (CCLV) Committee • Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Chairman • Archbishop Samuel Aquila • Archbishop John C. Wester • Archbishop Charles C. Thompson • Bishop Earl Boyea • Bishop Arturo Cepeda • Bishop James F. Checchio • Bishop Thomas Daly • Bishop Michael F. Olson Secretariat • Fr. Ralph O’Donnell, Executive Director • Fr. Luke Ballman, Associate Director

  7. The CCLV Committee Mandate

  8. CCLV Annual CARA Studies • Ordination Class • Profession Class • Permanent Deacon Class

  9. Seminary Enrollment2016-2017 • College: 1,395 1,248 (2004-2005)* 1,460 (2010-2011)** • Theology: 3,405 3,114 (1997-1998)* 3,723 (2011-2012)** * = Lowest ** = Most recent higher enrollment

  10. Seminary Enrollment Trends

  11. The Program of Priestly Formation (PPF)

  12. Program of Priestly Formation (PPF) • Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (Ratio) 1970, 1985, 2016) • PPF (1971, 1976, 1981, 1992, 2005) • Normative for all American (USA) seminaries

  13. PPF Sources • Vatican II • Ratio fundamentalis institutionis sacerdotalis • Catechism of the Catholic Church • Pastores dabo vobis • Seminary Visitations

  14. Vocations & Admissions • Discernment of Vocations (not a contest) • A divine and ecclesial dialogue • Responsibility of bishop & vocation director • Thresholds for admission • Gradualism

  15. Vocations and Admissions: Norms • Develop/review policy and follow it • Both the diocese and seminaries have admissions processes (n.39) • Benefit of doubt—Church (n.42) • Seminary not the place for therapy • Obligation of applicant to give evidence of a vocation • Confidential but shared information • Trust your gut

  16. Vocations and Admissions: Norms • Pre-theology • Two years for all four dimensions of formation, not just philosophy (n. 60) • Screening process • Interviews • Letters of reference • Records (cf. 63, 64, 66) • Medical & Psych evals. (n.47, 52 & 65) • Criminal background checks

  17. Vocations and Admissions: Norms • Get to know your psychologist • Confidential but shared information • Do your homework • Beware of men who “shop around for the best diocese” • Don’t rush the process (the vocation won’t go away)

  18. Vocations and Admissions: Norms • Open & frank discussion of life experiences • Evidence of having lived in continence for two years • Evidence of or inclination toward criminal sexual activity with minor • Candidates with same-sex experiences and/or inclinations (PPF #)

  19. Vocations and Admissions: Norms • Right to privacy & sharing of sensitive information with formation personnel • Debt, college and otherwise • Sense of entitlement • Recent converts

  20. Readmission of Former Sems: Norms & Addendum A • Requirement to consult all previous formation programs (n. 61) • 2-year period after dismissal from previous formation program (n. 62) • Purpose of these procedural norms: • Full disclosure • Confidential exchange • Consultation

  21. CCLV Guidelines on the Use of Psychology in Seminary Admissions • Provides basic principles • Psychology • Canon Law • Civil Law • Webinar for psychologists (St. Luke’s)

  22. USCC Guidelines for Receiving Pastoral Ministers • To assist with, developing, reviewing and implementing diocesan & seminary policies & procedures • Provides basic principles • Presentations available on line

  23. Rev. Luke Ballman Associate Director Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations www.usccb.org

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