Pope asks Jesuits to educate diocesan clergy in practice of discernment

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ROME (CNS) — When it comes to the Christian life, too many seminaries teach students a rigid list of rules that make it difficult or impossible for them as priests to respond to the real-life situation of those who come to them seeking guidance, Pope Francis said.
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“Some priestly formation programs run the risk of educating in the light of overly clear and distinct ideas, and therefore to act within limits and criteria that are rigidly defined a priori, and that set aside concrete situations,” the pope said during a meeting with 28 Polish Jesuits in Krakow during World Youth Day.
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The Vatican did not publish details of the pope’s meeting July 30 with the Jesuits, but — with Pope Francis’ explicit approval — a transcript of his remarks to the group was published in late August by Civilta Cattolica, a Jesuit journal reviewed at the Vatican prior to publication.
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cnstopstories.com/2016/08/25/pope-asks-jesuits-to-educate-diocesan-clergy-in-practice-of-discernment/
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What an awesome Pope !

Jim
 
I think what Pope Francis is saying is the formation of empathy! Empathy is the key to all in a helping profession. Most important is knowing and feeling of the other person. I do not like the current state of psychology, but the need for empathy is an exception.
 
Some of us keep scratching our head wondering: who are these hoards of Pharisee-type rigid priests the Holy Father keeps going on about? I’m sure they exist… But the vast majority of priests I’ve dealt with have been compassionate, patient, loving and empathetic to the umpth degree.
 
I’m puzzled by this well. I just never seem to run into the types of priests he’s referring to.
 
twf said:
Some of us keep scratching our head wondering: who are these hoards of Pharisee-type rigid priests the Holy Father keeps going on about? I’m sure they exist… But the vast majority of priests I’ve dealt with have been compassionate, patient, loving and empathetic to the umpth degree.
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Stay tuned, they’re up and coming, which is the Holy Father’s point.

Jim
 
Robert_Sock said:
I think what Pope Francis is saying is the formation of empathy! Empathy is the key to all in a helping profession. Most important is knowing and feeling of the other person. I do not like the current state of psychology, but the need for empathy is an exception.
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It’s a false dichotomy to think that empathy cannot exist alongside rigidity. The pope himself is quite firm or “rigid” in his conviction about God’s mercy.
 
gardenswithkids said:
It’s a false dichotomy to think that empathy cannot exist alongside rigidity. The pope himself is quite firm or “rigid” in his conviction about God’s mercy.
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I think you are twisting things I never meant to convey.
 
Robert_Sock said:
I think you are twisting things I never meant to convey.
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I didn’t mean to twist your words, but I simply fail to understand why the Pope has a problem with “Some priestly formation programs run the risk of educating in the light of overly clear and distinct ideas”. I don’t get it. Clear rules and empathy can co-exist.
 
gardenswithkids said:
I didn’t mean to twist your words, but I simply fail to understand why the Pope has a problem with “Some priestly formation programs run the risk of educating in the light of overly clear and distinct ideas”. I don’t get it. Clear rules and empathy can co-exist.
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Yes, of course, but in implementing or discussing those clear rules, one should be empathic to the target(s).
 
Sounds a little too New Age, and I’m sure Pope Francis, like all of us, treasures the clarity of Catholic teaching.

If something can not be stated clearly, it probably should not be considered a teaching meant for the masses. Perhaps, therefore, the Pope was speaking to his fellow Jesuits a priori.
 
gardenswithkids said:
It’s a false dichotomy to think that empathy cannot exist alongside rigidity. The pope himself is quite firm or “rigid” in his conviction about God’s mercy.
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Yes i agree. The false dichotomy also exists in the education system, to its detriment.
 
gardenswithkids said:
I didn’t mean to twist your words, but I simply fail to understand why the Pope has a problem with “Some priestly formation programs run the risk of educating in the light of overly clear and distinct ideas”. I don’t get it. Clear rules and empathy can co-exist.
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I totally agree with you. Truth is always clear cut. Sticking to truth does not mean to be rigid.
And empathy does not equal to indulge a person in sin. Clear rule and empathy should be and could be co-exist. The Scripture said we ought to speak the truth with love. That is the way it should be.
 
PTL said:
I totally agree with you. Truth is always clear cut. Sticking to truth does not mean to be rigid.
And empathy does not equal to indulge a person in sin. Clear rule and empathy should be and could be co-exist. The Scripture said we ought to speak the truth with love. That is the way it should be.
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But some people are living against the truths and are not ready for a complete makeover. This is where empathy comes in. Understanding the target’s perspective and feelings, taking things one small step at a time. To bombard somebody with rigid truths, without taking into account the person’s readiness to accept them, is counterproductive. For every Catholic fault that a person has, a pastoral authority should note several positive virtues within the target. Expecting immediate change is unrealistic.
 
Robert_Sock said:
But some people are living against the truths and are not ready for a complete makeover. This is where empathy comes in. Understanding the target’s perspective and feelings, taking things one small step at a time. To bombard somebody with rigid truths, without taking into account the person’s readiness to accept them, is counterproductive. For every Catholic fault that a person has, a pastoral authority should note several positive virtues within the target. Expecting immediate change is unrealistic.
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Let’s talk about discernment. Expecting immediate change may be unrealistic for some but not for all. Stories of the Saints show some people can do a complete and dramatic turn-about to reform their lives. Some people may need “one small step at a time” but others may be ready for more. Confessors may fail equally on that opposite side of discernment–failing to realize that the penitent *is ready for, wants and needs *more than mere baby steps.
 
PTL said:
I totally agree with you. Truth is always clear cut. Sticking to truth does not mean to be rigid.
And empathy does not equal to indulge a person in sin. Clear rule and empathy should be and could be co-exist. The Scripture said we ought to speak the truth with love. That is the way it should be.
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Amen… And always with love and mercy as Christ and the Church taught us…
 
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