ASIA/TAIWAN - Preparations for a course of ongoing formation for priests during the Year of the Priesthood

Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) – “Revision and assimilation of the theology and pastoral of the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the light of the Revelation of Christ (Sacred Scripture and Tradition interpreting the faith and foundations of the Church on the Sacrament of Holy Orders”. This is the motivation which led the Commission for the Clergy of the Regional Bishops' Conference of Taiwan to entrust to Taiwan Major Seminary the organisation of a short Summer Course of ongoing formation for priests as part of initiatives for the Year of the Priesthood, it was reported to Fides. The purpose of the Course is to “help priests, especially young priests, recently ordained, to distinguish more clearly between the vocation of the priest and the vocation of the laity, and the respective specific pastoral duties. Besides reflection, meditation, discussion, the participants will have the opportunity for experience of pastoral service of charity to meet the necessities of the local Church in the present day”.
Fr. Paul Preauxe and Fr. Francois-Regis have been entrusted with specific themes. In preparation the Commission has asked the participants to again read carefully the following Church documents: Decretum De Presbyterorum Ministerio et Vita Presbyterorum Orfinis, Pastores dabo vobis, The Priest and the Third Christian Millennium. According to the Commission, the course will take place from 17 - 28 August at the Seminary. All local priests ordained in the last ten years are obliged to attend, however the session is open to other priests and religious, local and foreign. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 02/07/2009 - righe 20, parole 234)