The Selection Process
What is Selection about?
When someone feels called by God to become a priest it is important that they have plenty of time to think and pray about this so that they and others can discern whether in fact this is their true vocation.
Beginning formation for the priesthood is a big step and involves sacrifices being made. Those who are in formation already may have had to give up their jobs and even their homes. Also, being a priest is quite challenging and therefore it is important that those who apply for the priesthood are properly assessed before they are accepted.
The Diocesan Selection Process seeks to help the Bishop to make a preliminary assessment about a candidate who presents himself for priesthood. The Bishop must judge whether or not the candidate may be hearing a call from God to priesthood, and whether that candidate will be able to meet the demands of both priestly formation and life as a priest in today's world.
Who decides whether I am to be selected or not?
It is the Bishop who makes the final decision about whether a candidate is accepted or not. He will seek the advice of others before he makes that decision, including those who know the candidate well and those who would be involved in preparing the candidate for ordination.
The Diocesan Vocations Director is specially appointed by the diocesan bishop to help him in the selection of candidates for the priesthood. The Vocations Director is an experienced priest and he will be your primary point of reference throughout the selection process. He is there to help and advise you at every stage.
The Selection Process
The following is a list of the various components that make up the diocesan selection process. You will be asked to take part in most, if not all of these. It is also possible that the bishop may ask for other things to be included as part of the selection process. The Vocations Director will know what is required and will advise you at every stage.
Throughout the selection process, the Vocations Director will try to be as open as possible with you and keep you informed about how you are getting on, but you should understand that he does not have the final say in your selection and also that he may be bound by confidentiality on some issues.
- Meetings with the Vocations Director
Once you meet the Vocations Director you should be in touch with one another on a regular basis so that he can help in the discernment of your vocation and also guide you through the selection process.
- Selection Advisory Conference
You and other potential candidates for the priestly formation may be invited to a seminary to meet the staff and students and also to get a taste of seminary life. This is normally a weekend visit, which incorporates interviews with members of seminary staff and others who will prepare a report for the bishop based on how they feel you would get on at seminary. For this weekend you will have to fill in an Application Form, which the Vocations Director will provide and also write an essay along the lines of why priesthood is of interest to you. The Vocations Director will also let you know if anything else will be required of you at this weekend
- Medical Examination
You will be asked to go to your doctor for a general medical examination the results of which will be made available to doctors who are on the bishop’s Selection Advisory Panel.
- Psychological Assessment
A fully trained psychologist who has a good knowledge of the Catholic Priesthood carries this out. The aim of the assessment is to help the candidate to understand the factors at work in his life and the implications of these for vocational effectiveness. It may also indicate areas of potential growth in the future. At the end of the assessment the psychologist will present you with a personal report which you will be able to discuss with them. You will then be invited to share these confidential findings with the Vocations Director and the Bishop.
- References
You will be asked to provide the name of a number of referees, one of whom should normally be your Parish Priest. The bishop may also approach other people whom he feels can offer relevant advice. In common with other caring professions, appropriate checks are made on those who apply for the priesthood; this will include a check with the Criminal Records Bureau .
- Proof of Baptism and Confirmation (or reception)
You will be asked to write to the parish where you were baptised, asking the priest of that place to provide you with certification of your baptism and confirmation in the Catholic community. If you were not originally baptized in the Catholic community, but we received into it at a later date, it is the parish where the reception took place that would be contacted.
- Interview with the Bishop and his Advisory Panel
Finally, all the above will be taken into account at a formal interview with the Bishop and his Advisory Panel. Some time after this interview you will be informed as to whether or not the bishop has accepted you for priestly formation. The Vocations Director will inform you of the Bishop’s decision as soon as he can.
What if I am selected?
If selected you would normally begin formation for the priesthood either at a seminary or some other place (such as a parish in the diocese) the following September.
What if I am not selected?
It is important to appreciate the applying for the priesthood is note like applying for a secular job. If you are not accepted it does not mean that you have ‘failed’ – it simply means that perhaps your real vocation lies elsewhere. The Vocations Director will provide what help he can if you are not accepted.
Whilst all of the above may seem somewhat daunting please do not be unduly worried about it. Please remember that we are seeking to establish what God wants of you and what is in the best interest of both yourself and the Church. Therefore please do not view the selection process as a series of ‘job interviews’, but rather as part of your vocational discernment.