National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...

100Chapter 6providing the candidate with the knowledge and appreciation of thefaith that he needs in order to carry out his ministry” 16 of word, liturgy,and charity. The course of study should be complete and must be inharmony with the magisterial teaching of the Church so that thefuture deacon is a “reliable witn[ess] of the faith and spokes[man]for the Church’s teaching.” 17 It should also take into account thespecific diaconal services the candidate will provide in the communitiesthat he will be appointed to serve, as well as topics that reflectthe specific concerns of the Church in the United States. The intellectualdimension must equip the candidate for his leadership andparticipation in the new evangelization and for his effective heraldingof the Gospel in today’s society. The study of sacred Scripture,liturgy, evangelization, and missiology are to be given prominence.Pastoral placementand supervisionPastoral Dimension219. “During formation, engagement in a wide diversity of” pastoralfield education placements, “at least on a limited basis, will notonly give the candidate a greater awareness of the needs and missionof the [diocesan] Church, but will assist in the discernment anddevelopment of his own . . . talents and gifts.” 18 These pastoral fieldeducation experiences “should provide an opportunity for theologicalreflection, as well as occasions to translate” intellectual knowledgeinto pastoral service. 19 A description of the core content for the formationof candidates can be found in Norms 13-15 at the end of thischapter. “Competent, objective, and” supportive supervisors will berequired in order to achieve these goals. 20 The diocesan Church“must be committed to the [selection and] preparation of skillful . .. supervisors who possess pastoral experience, [training] . . . in theart of supervision, and . . . [the ability to assist] mature men with[diverse] life experiences. . . .” 21 During candidacy, emphasis alsoshould be given to the study of the role of culture in human, spiritual,and pastoral formation. Further, the pastoral dimension should providea significant grounding in the social justice teaching of the Church.V. The Assessment of CandidatesMeasurement ofachievement in apastoral settingAcademic Assessment220. A primary opportunity for assessment of the candidate wouldbe within an actual pastoral setting. Can the candidate do thatwhich his training is preparing him to do? Does the way in which he