15 / 17
10
psychological report can be of great assistance to the seminarian and to
those responsible for his formation.
18
Obviously, the material above regarding privacy and confidentiality
apply at the level of seminarian formation just as they do at the admissions
level. Some additional principles may assist the seminary in this regard:
1. The seminarian is himself a necessary and irreplaceable agent
responsible for his own formation.
2. The seminarian works to acquire the necessary affective matu-
rity and training in freedom that is required of him in response
to his vocation.
3. The formation atmosphere between the seminarian and the
formators is marked by openness and transparency.
4. Formators guarantee an atmosphere of trust for the seminarian
to provide appropriate self-disclosure and participate with con-
viction in the work of discernment and accompaniment, offering
his own convinced and heartfelt cooperation.
Retention of Records
The retention of pre-admission psychological evaluation reports may
become an issue especially with regard to the seminarian’s early depar-
ture from the program of formation, due either to a voluntary withdrawal
or involuntary dismissal. If a seminarian was dismissed from a program
of priestly formation, his application to return to the same or another
seminary may not be considered for at least two years following dis-
missal.
19
If a former seminarian wishes to reapply after a voluntary depar-
ture, sufficient time must be given for an evaluation of his prior back-
ground and his new application. The length of time is to be determined
according to the circumstances of each individual.
20
18
Guidelines
, nos. 5 & 9.
19 PPF, no. 62.
20 Special attention should be given to The United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s
Norms
Concerning Applications for Priestly Formation from Those Previously Enrolled in a Formation Pro-
gram
, which are published as “Addendum A” in the PPF.