VATICAN CITY
Deutsche Welle
The Vatican has released a new set of guidelines for seminaries, including measures to protect minors from sexual abuse. Women are also set to take part in seminars as the future clergy must be able to work with women.
Catholic priests-in-training will soon be required to take part in classes on protecting minors from sexual abuse, according to the Vatican’s new seminary guidelines published Thursday.
“The programs include specific lessons, seminars or courses about the protection of youths,” the new priest training regulations said, as published by the Vatican newspaper “Osservatore Romano.”
When evaluating candidates for priesthood, instructors would have to ensure that potential priests have “not been involved in a crime or problematic behavior in this area.”
In the document, the Vatican urges bishops to be “very cautious” when assessing priesthood candidates previously dismissed from other seminaries attempting to enter another theological school.
A greater role for women
Women are also set to play a larger role in the training of priests in the future. The guidelines recommend that women also take part in seminars and university classes with priests as the future male clergy will need to be able to work with women.
The Vatican even recommended that a candidate’s ability to interact with and work alongside women should be taken into account when when being considered for the priestly ordination.
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