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NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF DIOCESAN VOCATION DIRECTORS 2017

Learn about the USCCB's role in vocations ministry, its history, priority initiatives, and the guidelines for discernment and admissions. Explore seminary enrollment trends and the Program of Priestly Formation.

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NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF DIOCESAN VOCATION DIRECTORS 2017

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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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