Pastores dabo vobis

Pastores Dabo Vobis referred to the title of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II was published on 25 March 1992 and combines with the subtitle " The priest in the context of the present" whether the results of the 8th Ordinary Synod of Bishops (September 30 - 28. October 1990) together.

Conciliar Synod on the priests

In his decrees Presbytero Ordinis "Over the life of the priest " and Optatam Totius "On the formation of priests ," the Second Vatican Council with the ministry and the formation of priests had dealt in detail. After the Council the Church continues working on this theme package. The Congregation for Catholic Education, published in 1970 with the "Ratio fundamentalism ", the guidelines for the training of priests.

The Synod of Bishops from 1990 devoted himself - twenty years later - again this issue and called for to reconsider the nature of the priesthood in the context of " current situation of society and the Church" ( cf. Pastores dabo vobis (PDV # 5 ) ).

Broad priestly formation

The post-synodal letter in which the pope defines the broad training of priests in the Catholic Church, is addressed to the bishops, priests and faithful. Two main features characterize the focus of his concern:

  • First, he calls God's promise to his people in mind, as it is said: "I will give you shepherds after my own heart " ( Jer 3,15 EU). With these words of the prophet Jeremiah, God promises his people never to leave it without a shepherd that will collect it and run: "I will be to them - ie my sheep -. give shepherds who feed them, and they shall fear no more, and worry " (Jer. 23.4 EU) ( PDV 1 )
  • Second, he says that for a while the training is between calling and sending the priest and makes this (Mark 3:13-15 EU) clear this time, so says the Pope, the "With him being" is the biblical model seminary formation (PDV 42 ).

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Chapter I. From the chosen people - the training of priests facing the challenges of the second century
  • Chapter II The Lord has anointed me - Nature and mission of ministerial priesthood
  • Chapter III. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me - The spiritual life of the priest
  • Chapter IV Come and See - The priesthood in the pastoral work of the Church
  • Chapter V. He appointed twelve, whom he wanted to be with him - the training of candidates for the priesthood
  • Chapter VI. I'll call to mind; Stir up the gift of God which is given you become - The formation of priests
  • Closing

Single notes

Synod of Bishops (Catholic) Presbyterorum Ordinis
635718
de