Code_of_Canon_Law

people entrusted to them on the importance of the sacred ministry and the need for ministers in
the Church. They are to encourage and support initiatives to promote vocations, especially
movements established for this purpose.
§2 Moreover, priests and especially diocesan Bishops are to be solicitous that men of more
mature years who believe they are called to the sacred ministries are prudently assisted by word
and deed and are duly prepared.
Can. 234 §1 Minor seminaries and other institutions of a similar nature promote vocations by
providing a special religious formation, allied to human and scientific education- where they
exist, they are to be retained and fostered. Indeed, where the diocesan Bishop considers it
expedient, he is to provide for the establishment of a minor seminary or similar institution.
§2 Unless the circumstances of certain situations suggest otherwise, young men who aspire to
the priesthood are to receive that same human and scientific formation which prepares their peers
in their region for higher studies.
Can. 235 §1 Young men who intend to become priests are to receive the appropriate religious
formation and instruction in the duties proper to the priesthood in a major seminary, for the
whole of the time of formation or, if in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop circumstances
require it, for at least four years.
§2 Those who lawfully reside outside the seminary are to be entrusted by the diocesan Bishop to
a devout and suitable priest, who will ensure that they are carefully formed in the spiritual life
and in discipline.
Can. 236 Those who aspire to the permanent diaconate are to be formed in the spiritual life and
appropriately instructed in the fulfilment of the duties proper to that order, in accordance with
the provisions made by the Episcopal Conference:
1° young men are to reside for at least three years in a special houseunless the diocesan Bishop
for grave reasons decides otherwise,
2° men of more mature years, whether celibate or married, are toprepare for three years in a
manner determined by the same Episcopal Conference.
Can. 237 §1 Where it is possible and advisable, each diocese is to have a major seminary;
otherwise, students preparing for the sacred ministries are to be sent to the seminary of another
diocese, or an inter-diocesan seminary is to be established.
§2 An inter-diocesan seminary may not be established unless the prior approval of the Apostolic
See has been obtained, both for the establishment of the seminary and for its statutes. Approval
is also required from the Episcopal Conference if the seminary is for the whole of its territory;
otherwise, from the Bishops concerned.