Ratio Fundamentalis: The Role of Specialists in Formation for Priesthood Reflection on Legal Issues
Ratio Fundamentalis: The Role of Specialists in Formation for Priesthood Reflection on Legal Issues

Summary/Abstract: In point 145 of Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, published on December 6, 2016, the ecclesiastical legislator states that various specialists may be invited to contribute to the formation of future priests, and in paragraph 176 of this document, it points out the need to introduce into the seminary subjects whose knowledge is required primarily because of the specific needs of the future pastoral service performed in the specific context of time and place. This article, by analyzing the two fundamental contexts in which priests perform their ministry, that is, the reality of parishes and schools, indicates those legal regulations whose knowledge may be helpful in the future pastoral work of candidates for priesthood. The article discusses the issues of personal data protection, the legal character of pastoral ministry and basic civil law issues related to the administration of church property, as well as the issue of responsibility and criminal law protection of the teacher-catechist.

• Details
• Contents