Ecclesia in Asia “Pastores Dabo Vobis” : FABC Documents clearly affirm the importance and necessity of continuing formation for the clergy. “To serve the Church as Christ intends, Bishops and priests need a solid and continuing formation which would provide opportunities for human, spiritual and pastoral renewal as well as courses in theology, spirituality and the human sciences” E.A 43. Becoming fully human and fulfilled priests of God to his people is an on-going and life-time process. What is of fundamental importance is that the individual priest himself must desire and want to appropriate his continuing formation. This desire needs to be inculcated in seminary formation. Programmes for on going formation will be linked and will flow from seminary formation- programmes.
    In view of Vatican II Council emphasis on church as community and the call of the FABC for a “New way of being the Church”, the primary consideration is to be given to the priest as builder of communion. Thus attention is to be paid to him as a person on a journey to fullness of life in communion with God, the Bishop, the Presbyterium and the people. “It is my fervent prayer that the ordained ministers of the church in Asia will live and work in a spirit of communion and cooperation with the Bishops and all the faithful bearing witness to the love which Jesus declared to be the true mark of his disciples. ( Jn.13:35) E.A.43
    In order to achieve these goals we recommend the following : which span throughout a priest's life.

A.  I.  Apprenticeship -- first 3 to 5 years of priestly ministry

a)  First year:  In the first year of their priestly life, the young priests need to have the happy experience of their ministry. Hence, the following steps are recommended:

1.)  They be appointed to a carefully selected experienced pastor.
2.)  They should not be overloaded with excessive pastoral assignments.
3.)  They should have regular reviews with the pastor concerned and their own peer group.
4.)  The bishop should invite them for personal contacts with him and affirm them.

1)  Regular review programmes covering all areas of pastoral life are to be drawn up especially by the apprentice-priest themselves with the help of a programme director.
2)  They should develop links with their fellow priests in the deanery and presbyteral meetings.

    In mid-life there should be programmes to help promote the human growth of individual priests. These programmes should look into areas of a deeper spirituality, not forgetting the fear and trust issues which can disturb the commitment of the clergy.
   Moreover, during the regular annual retreat and the other gathering of priests, the clergy should be given the opportunity to review their priestly life style. A longer and more intensive programme should be devised (according to the needs of the diocese) with the help of experts, aimed at going more deeply into the basic questions (related to commitment, fear, trust) leading to personal conversion.

III.  Golden Years --  senior clergy

    This is the happy period when one can enjoy the fruits of past endeavors. These priests should be considered an asset in the diocese – their rich experiences should be appreciated and shared; their advice and guidance sought.
    Special attention should be given to their security needs.

IV.  Retirement

    In his retirement a priest continues to contribute to the diocese with his wide experience and life style. It is the duty of the diocese to appreciate their presence and enhance their sense of belonging. As such care must be taken that the elderly clergy be given the full support which they deserve (emotional, material, etc.). Also, where necessary, foundations should be created to support the retirement plan of elderly priests who are in need.

V.  Programmes for priests in Special Needs

    In cases where therapeutic help is needed, experts in the field of psychology and spirituality must be taped. In fact that the opening of a center that will attend to these special cases is called for.
    Rehabilitation of erring priests (alcoholism, infidelity to priestly vows etc.) be conducted by prudent experts.

B. Besides, on-going formation regarding human development of the priest, attention is to be paid to pastoral skills. Some areas which need attention are:

1.  Preaching the word of God in an attractive style and feeding people the word of God.
2.  Attention to Healing Ministry.
3.  Liturgy celebrated with decorum and as a community celebration.
4.  Personal prayer life developed as an on-going relationship with God.
5.  Capability for 3 fold dialogue (culture, poor, religions).
6.  Discern, encourage, and guide charisms in his community.

    Keeping in mind what we said with regard to the different stages of priestly life we propose the following:

1.  Each diocese is to have a clearly stated programme of on-going formation.

2.  Apprenticeship especially of the 1st year be adopted in each diocese.

3.  Clearly defined sabbatical programmes: rest, spiritual renewal updating courses.

4.  Introduced to new ecclesial movements and shown how to guide them.

5.  Establish an institute at national or regional level where the priest can go for

a)  Short courses on spiritual renewal, ashram experience, etc.
b)  Updating sessions on human sciences, globalization, bio-ethics, etc.

6.  Before appointment as parish priest – or any special assignment, chaplaincy, a short course on the required skills, expectation, e.g. administration, accounting, etc., be provided.

7. Develop and make known, centers for priests in special needs -- e.g. Assist programme, Affirmation house.

8. Priests should be helped to develop and enhance their preaching skills to become more charismatic in their preaching (programmes, seminars. etc.)