need to review past initiatives

Re: Personal Message, Priestly Formation
Fr: Excerpted from Anita Bourdin (2007 Dec 5). “Cardinal Vingt-Trois on His New Mission: Interview With Archbishop of Paris. ZE071208 (= December 8, 2007 weekly newsletter)

ROME, DEC. 5, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The archbishop of Paris received the decision of Benedict XVI to elevate him to cardinal as an invitation to a more intense commitment to serve the Church.

Cardinal André Vingt-Trois received his red hat Nov. 24 at the consistory of cardinals held in the Vatican. Earlier the same month he was chosen as president of the episcopal conference of France.

In this interview with ZENIT, the 65-year-old prelate, who is also the military ordinary in France, shares some of his reflections as a new member of the College of Cardinals….

Q: One of the themes faced in this last meeting of the bishops of France meeting in Lourdes was the priestly ministry and the formation of new priests. What do you consider essential in this area?

Cardinal Vingt-Trois: During the past 26 years numerous initiatives have been taken in this area. Some have take root and strengthened, others have been interrupted or corrected. Despite a real convergence of conviction on the part of the bishops, this period has shown many divergences in the application.

We believe we have arrived at the time of making an assessment about these initiatives and of sharing our reflections on this point. I am pleased that a working group has allowed this reflection to begin.

Q: When Christ was calling you as a young person to serve him as a priest, what helped you so that your vocation matured and grew?

Cardinal Vingt-Trois: It takes time, patience and a call. The time and the patience for the call of Christ to take root and grow, and to offer the response that is due.
The call carries with it a mission. What is the missionary orientation that gives motivation to youth to surrender their lives?

Q: You have worked much on the question of the family: Every Wednesday Benedict XVI speaks words to the newly married. How is it possible to help them on their path, when so many unions blessed by the sacrament end in separation?

Cardinal Vingt-Trois: To believe in the power of love. The power of the love of God for humanity, an unfailing love. The power of the love of spouses committed mutually and definitively. To find spouses who give witness to the stability of this love. To show the privileged place of families and of the joy of families.

Q: You finished writing a book titled "Les Signes que Dieu Nous Donne" (The Signs That God Gives Us). Many don't believe in signs. What do you say to that?

Cardinal Vingt-Trois: The signs are there for those who have eyes to see them. For others, they are events that are neutral or without meaning. For one who believes in the love of God, the signs abound and are plentiful.

goal: affective maturity: definition

major indicator: "healthy, balanced SELF-GIVING that includes the ability to receive from God and from others ..."

related indicator: "ability to address the most emotional stresses; i.e., anxiety, weak confidence, anger, loneliness and sadness."

- richard fitzgibbons, md (catholic psychiatirst, author of "homosexuality and hope" published by the catholic medical association) as interviewed in zenit.org (2005 dec 5). # ZE05120523

personal comment:
the major indicator is positively worded; the related indicator, negatively.