This report follows the one presented in October 2024 to the participants of the Second Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Below, we briefly review the stages of our journey, with particular focus on developments from autumn 2024 to the present, and the outlook for future work.
Phases of the journey
1. Initial orientation of our work (June - July 2024), guided by the mandate assigned to us in the Work Outline of the General Secretariat of the Synod for the Study Groups (14 March 2024): to conduct «a review of formation to the ordained ministry and a revision of the Ratio Fundamentalis in the perspective of a synodal missionary Church (cf. Synthesis Report, no. 11j), at the service of the Episcopal Conferences».
During this phase, summarized in the previous report, we reached two key insights:
- The current Ratio Fundamentalis, published in 2016, is a recent document still in the process of being received. It has already introduced significant innovations related to the Church’s synodal and missionary dimensions, such as an emphasis on discipleship and configuration to Christ as Head, Shepherd, Servant, and Bridegroom as the foundational principles of formation; a fundamentally communal dimension; and the need for integral formation. Based on this document, Ratio Nationalis are being developed worldwide: some have already been approved by the Dicastery for the Clergy, others are nearing completion, and some are still under development. Therefore, a complete overhaul of the Ratio does not currently seem appropriate.
- On the other hand, the Synthesis Report of the First Session of the Synod, the Instrumentum Laboris for the Second Session – and now the Final Document (especially nos. 147–148) – articulate a series of needs tied to the Church’s journey as a synodal and missionary body in this time of epochal change, which cannot be ignored. These include: in relation to the centrality of the People of God, synodal and missionary, there is the need to deepen the identity of ordained ministry in relational terms, in dialogue with other ministries, and defined “in and from” the People of God; formation that is more rooted in the lived experience of the People of God with its various charisms and ministries; joint formation moments involving laypeople, consecrated persons, ordained ministers, and seminarians; greater participation of all components of the People of God – especially women and families – in the formation of ordained ministers; learning the essential skills for a synodal Church; the urgent need to respond to Jesus’ missionary mandate.
These insights led us to consider drafting a Preliminary Document to the Ratio Fundamentalis that would clearly articulate the relational identity of ordained ministers in a synodal and missionary Church, and outline principles and criteria for implementing both the Ratio Fundamentalis and the Ratio Nationalis in keeping with this ecclesiological and missiological vision.
During the meeting of 18 October 2024 with the participants of the Synod, this direction received broad support, along with important encouragements, such as: ensure that formation fosters interior maturity and initiates candidates into deep Christian and priestly spirituality as a true friendship with Jesus; recognize that some existing methods and tools of formation no longer connect well with today’s complex world; address the challenges posed by the digital world, social networks, and artificial intelligence; identify paths toward a true and integral transformation (conversion) of candidates; promote self-awareness and awareness of ministry, nurtured through immersion in the People of God; etc.
2. Listening and Gathering Phase (October 2024 – June 2025). This phase unfolded along two lines, in keeping with the synodal method underlying our work:
- listening to experiences from seminaries and experts across different continents[1];
- consulting Episcopal Conferences on effective practices and proposals for the formation of candidates for ministry in a synodal and missionary Church[2].
This phase highlighted several key findings: confirmation of the basic direction: drafting a preamble and guidelines for re-reading the Ratio; existence of many good practices around the world that should be appreciated and shared; the risk of stopping at good intentions that are not adequately implemented (e.g., minimal number of seminarians, lack of formator training, etc.); hence the need to establish timelines for implementation and define evaluation criteria.
Special reflection was also given to the structure of the seminary and its historical roots. The current model still largely reflects a context where formation occurred apart from the People of God, in isolated settings and homogeneous communities. This needs to be enriched with new approaches more in tune with the Church's missionary and synodal nature, such as:
- deepening experiences of formation embedded in the life of the People of God;
- developing new models of pastoral formation and including training modules that respond to the realities and challenges of our time.
3. Synthesis and Drafting Phase (July – November 2025). During this phase, we aim to:
- gather all relevant content from the Final Document of the Synod 2021–2024 concerning the formation of candidates for ordained ministry (already completed);
- extract from the consultation phase the main themes and proposals gathered from seminaries and experts;
- identify exemplary good practices and proposals from Episcopal Conferences on each continent;
- re-read the Ratio Fundamentalis in this light to highlight, chapter by chapter, existing elements of synodality and mission, as well as areas needing further development;
- draft a preliminary document to the Ratio, to be submitted to the Holy Father.
Possible Components of a Preliminary Document for the Implementation of the Ratio Fundamentalis / Ratio Nationalis in a missionary synodal perspective
In fulfilling its task, the Group will prepare a draft of a concise document (10–12 pages maximum) for the implementation of the Ratio Fundamentalis / Ratio Nationalis in a missionary synodal perspective, including the following sections:
1. Anthropological, theological, ecclesiological, missiological, and pastoral preamble: identity and ministry of presbyters in a synodal and missionary Church
2. Guidelines for implementing the Ratio Fundamentalis and Ratio Nationalis in a synodal and missionary framework
3. Criteria for implementation and evaluation
4. Appendix with selected good practices from various continents (additional practices may be shared through the website of the Dicastery for the Clergy)
5. Final corollary summarizing the key emerging themes.
Coordinator: H. Em. Card. José Cobo Cano
[1] Consulted experts (in chronological order):
11/11/2024 Rev. Emilio Lavaniegos González O.S.D., Priestly Fraternity of Diocesan Workers, Director of the Mosén Sol Residence (a community for priests in difficulty), Consultor to the Dicastery of the Clergy, among the collaborators in drafting the Ratio Fundamentalis.
06/12/2024 Sister Isabell Naumann, Secular Institute of the Schönstatt Sisters of Mary, President of the Catholic Institute of Theology of Sydney, Member of the International Theological Commission.
16/12/2024 Rev. Enrico Brancozzi, Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Ministry of the Archdiocese of Fermo and Rector of the Archdiocesan Seminary, author of the book Rifare i preti. Come ripensare i seminari. (Remaking Priests. Rethinking Seminar).
07/01/2025 Msgr. Jesús Vidal Chamorro, Bishop of Segovia, President of the Episcopal Sub-commission for Seminaries of the Spanish Episcopal Conference.
21/01/2025 Rev. Hans Zollner. S.I., Director of the Institute of Anthropology (Interdisciplinary studies on human dignity and care) at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
18/02/2025 Msgr. Lucio Adrían Ruiz, Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication and “creator” of the “Digital Synod”.
18/03/2025 Rev. Dr. Peter Klasvogt, priest of the Archdiocese of Paderborn, Director of the Kommende Social Institute of Dortmund and of the Catholic Academy of Schwerte, former Rector of the Major Seminary of Paderborn and President of the Conference of German‑language Rectors; Rev. Carlo José Seno, priest of the Archdiocese of Milano, Director of the Spirituality Center of Communion for Diocesan Priests and Seminarians “Vinea Mea,” located in the Citadel of the Focolare Movement in Loppiano (Florence).
08/04/2025 Prof. Nora Kofognotera Nonterah, theologian and university lecturer, Member of the Synodal Assembly, former Director of the Formation Program for Synodality for Seminarians in Ghana, organized by the Provincial Major Seminary of St. Gregory the Great.
24/06/2025 Rev. Armando Nugnes, Rector of the Pontifical Urban College in Rome.
[2] Overview of contributions from Episcopal Conferences in response to the request to highlight good practices and proposals: 4 contributions from Africa (Burundi, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria); 8 contributions from Asia (Bangladesh, China, Korea, Philippines, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand) (the input from Asian seminaries came partly from the Episcopal Conferences and partly through the FABC); 10 contributions from Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela); 2 contributions from North America (Canada, USA); 13 contributions from Europe (Albania, Belgium, Bosnia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Scandinavia [Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway], Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain); for a total of 37 contributions.