Formation for Celibacy: Developing a Program
Introduction
During recent years, formation for celibacy has
become a much greater concern in the formation
of men for the religious life and for priestly
ministry. The Vatican
has recommended that this be an integral part
of every formation program. It has also become
an important part of the Vatican
visitations of seminaries.
The Ratio Formationis Generalis offers
guidelines for various elements of formation
for our Redemptorist Apostolic Life including
formation for celibacy. However, a specific
program on how to develop such a program is
not provided, but must be prepared by the Formation
Secretariat of every (v) Province as they develop
their own Ratio Formationis.
This is one of the daunting challenges facing
both formators and formandi throughout the Congregation.
We recognize that the whole topic of sexuality
varies from culture to culture. In some societies,
sexuality is highly eroticized and everyone
seems to be sexually aware from an early age.
In other societies, sexuality is a private reality
shared with only a few. In still others, celibacy
does not have a cultural value, and the cultural
push is to sexual intimacy.
Where to begin? What does one include in a formation
program? What is appropriate and what is not
appropriate? What belongs to a spiritual director
or confessor? Does a program of Formation for
Celibacy primarily give information or bring
candidates to integration? These are just a
few questions that are often raised when discussing
the issue with formators.
The General Secretariat cannot develop a program that is suitable to all
candidates in the many cultures where the Congregation
is located. Nonetheless, it
is generally agreed that a comprehensive program
for formation for celibacy must include:
a.
A healthy understanding and appreciation for human sexuality (some suggestions
are offered in Section I)
b.
Celibacy and Chastity as understood in Church teaching, religious life,
and the Redemptorist Constitutions, with focus
on teaching, spirituality and practice (some
suggestions of what this might look like are
offered in Section II)
c.
A healthy understanding and appreciation for human intimacy appropriate
to Celibacy (some suggestions are offered in
Section III)
in community
with men and women
in ministry
d.
Practical and professional understandings of boundaries in community, friendships,
and ministry including professional skills
(what this means and how to approach the topic
are offered in Section IV)
e.
Lived experience of celibacy and chastity in the Congregation in both community
and ministry (suggestions on how this could
be developed are offered in Section V)
It is the overall responsibility of the formators at different stages to
see how this formation for celibacy takes place.
However, one formator cannot be responsible
for the whole program. In fact, many aspects
of this formation would be better dealt with
by outside professionals such as medical doctors,
nurses, psychologists or clinical social workers.
We strongly suggest that professionally trained
experts be engaged where appropriate, but always
under the supervision of formators.
It seems advisable that a professional present the material on a healthy
understanding and appreciation of sexuality
(Section I A). It would also be helpful to engage
the participation of professionals in Sections
I B and I C though some of this material is
best presented by the formators themselves.
Many units have found it helpful to present
the material suggested in this outline through
a combination of professionals and the formation
team, as well as through in-house sessions
and inter-religious workshops.
The following Syllabus as it has been developed below is divided into the
above five sections. These are meant as a help
in developing a program and curriculum. They
may assist a (v) provincial Secretariat of formation
to determine what, when, how and by whom these
elements could be included in the formation
program of the unit.
This is not a program for one stage of formation, but a progressive program
that should permeate the whole of formation.
Different stages ought to emphasize different
elements of the program. In this way, a gradual
and progressive formation for celibacy begins
in postulancy, is deepened during the novitiate,
and becomes more integrated into the years of
temporary profession and preparation for ministry.
It is hoped that the progression of this program,
from general to specific, will build trust and
comfort for candidates to speak and share more
freely this dimension of our religious lives.
It may also assist them in developing the vocabulary
and tools to express themselves appropriately.
The objective is not to have knowledgeable candidates,
but candidates who have integrated this knowledge
into their lives as celibate and chaste Redemptorists.
A
PROPOSED SYLLABUS
Section I: A
healthy understanding and
appreciation
for human sexuality
This section could
include:
A. Basic biology and physiology this could be
presented by a medical professional
B. Knowledge of terms this could be presented
by a professional
Ψ
SEX AND SEXUALITY Whats the difference?
Ψ
SEXUAL AND GENDER DEVELOPMENT
How do we grow sexually? Do
men and women develop differently?
Ψ
INTIMACY AND SEXUALITY What is intimacy? Can you be
intimate without being sexual?
Ψ
SEXUAL ORIENTATION What is sexual orientation?
Ψ
SEXUAL DIFFICULTIES AND DISORDERS
What are some of the sexual difficulties and
disorders people have with sexuality?
C. Psychosexual Development this could be presented
by a professional in human development with
the formation team.
a)
Psychosexual development and prenatal life
Family attitudes towards sex
Parental attitudes
Pregnancy, labor and delivery
b)
Psychosexual development during childhood
c)
Psychosexual development during adolescence
Awakening sexual information
Sexual fantasies and body reactions
Masturbation
Physical changes and personal
appearance
Relational experiences falling
in love
Sexual trauma or abuse
Sexually transmitted diseases
and AIDS
d)
Psychosexual development during adulthood
Psychosexual Maturity
Integration
Genital expressiveness
Intimacy
e) Sexual Orientation
Asexuality people who have little
or no sexual response
Heterosexuality
Homosexuality
Bisexuality
f) Psychosexual Issues
Sexual Abuse by clergy
Escaping our sexuality (internet,
pornography, etc)
D. Sexuality and celibacy in the social-cultural
context of the candidates this section could
be dealt with by an anthropologist, sociologist
or social worker plus the formation team.
Societys views of sexuality
- the influence of culture and family traditions
- the influence of peers
- the influence of media, pornography, internet
How do these affect our views
of sexuality?
How do these affect our means
of living celibately?
Section II: Celibacy
and Chastity
Church teaching, religious life
and the Redemptorist Constitutions,
with focus on teaching, spirituality and practice
Suggestions for this
Section are not limited to the following:
1)
Celibacy in the non-Christian world
-
experience of celibacy in different religious contexts (e.g. Hinduism, Buddhism)
2)
Celibacy in the Bible
-
Jewish experience of sexuality and celibacy
-
Sexuality and celibacy in the Gospels (Matt 19)
-
Celibacy in view of the parousia in the writings of St. Paul
3)
Celibacy in Church practice and teaching
-
early development of celibate practice
-
celibacy in the Western and Eastern
Churches
-
celibacy and ordination
4)
Celibacy, Chastity and Virginity in Religious Life and Priesthood
5) The deep meaning of Celibacy
- Celibacy for the Kingdom
- The cross and happiness in Celibacy
- Celibacy as a witness to the Resurrection
6) Celibate Chastity in the Redemptorist Constitutions
7) Community and gospel friendship as aids to celibacy
Section III:
Intimacy and Celibacy
A healthy understanding and appreciation
for human intimacy appropriate to celibacy,
in community, with men and women, and in ministry
1)
Sexuality, Intimacy and Celibacy
What intimacy is and
is not
Mature and immature
intimacy
Sex and Intimacy
Trust and self-disclosure
Friendship
Sexual tensions between
individuals when working closely together
Issues of control
and dependence
Pornography and false
intimacy
Conflict and intimacy
2)
Loving as a celibate
Loneliness and solitude
3)
Intimacy and Redemptorist Community
Constitutions and
Statutes 21, 22 and 34
4)
Intimacy and spirituality
Religious images of
intimacy
Intimacy with God
Developing a celibate
spirituality of chastity
Section IV: Professional
and Personal Boundaries
Practical and professional understanding
of boundaries
in community, friendships, and
ministry,
including professional skills
1) Professional and personal boundaries
Priesthood and religious
life as a profession and lifestyle
Professional relationships
and boundaries
Personal relationships
and boundaries
2) Priestly Sexual Misconduct with Children and
Adolescents
3) Sexual Abuse in the Church
The Horror of Sex
Crimes
Pedophilia (sexual
attraction and involvement with children)
Ephebophilia (sexual
attraction and involvement with teenagers)
Read and study local
or (v)provincial Protocols for sexual misconduct
Treatment and re-entry
into ministry
5)
The impact of child sexual abuse
6)
Professional Boundaries misconduct with Adults
Touching, Hugging
good touch, bad touch
Sexualized Behavior
imbalance of power
Professional Relationships
and Friendships the relationship continuum
Dual Relationships
Crossing the Boundary
Characteristics that
create the potential for boundary violations
Prevention
Section V: Experience
of Celibacy
Lived experience of celibacy and
chastity
in the Congregation, in both community and ministry
1)
The first five years of ministry
The honeymoon period
the importance of mentoring
Disillusionment
loneliness, feelings of being unappreciated,
misunderstandings with superiors, difficulties
in community, burnout and overwork
Satisfaction in ministry
A rich prayer life,
Eucharist, Preaching, collaborating with clergy
and laity, spiritual direction, support from
confreres and gatherings to share experiences,
living a balanced lifestyle, mental hygiene
(awareness of how the mind and emotions work
and the things to do to keep yourself emotionally
healthy)
2)
Conflicts regarding chastity
Sexual difficulties
compulsive sexual fantasies and masturbation,
anxieties, and questionable behaviors
Falling in Love
Sexual involvement
3)
Developing mature and sound principles
4)
Celebrating the virtue of chastity and personal values
5)
Ministry as collaborative
Working as a team
attitudes and behaviors
What are the benefits?
What are the tensions and problems?
What are the aids
to foster healthy interactions?
Sexual tensions within
teamwork
Developing ones relational
skills
Importance of Gospel
friendships and Intimacy
