Intellectual formation is “deeply connected with, and indeed can be seen as a necessary expression of, both human and spiritual formation. It is a fundamental demand of the human intelligence by which one ‘participates in the light of God’s mind’ and seeks to acquire a wisdom which in turn opens to and is directed toward knowing and adhering to God.” (PDV 51).
The priest is sent first of all to preach the Good News. Jesus himself was sent to teach. “He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem” (Lk 13:22). In his teaching, the priest participates in the prophetic mission of Jesus. For this reason, intellectual formation of future priests “finds its specific justification in the very nature of the ordained ministry, and the challenge of the ‘new evangelization’ to which our Lord is calling the Church.” (ibid.). In his first letter Peter exhorts the first Christians: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1Pt 3:15). “If we expect every Christian to be prepared to make a defence of the faith and to account for the hope that is in us, then all the more should candidates for the priesthood and priests have diligent care of the quality of their intellectual formation in their education and pastoral activity. For the salvation of their brothers and sisters they should seek an ever deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries.” (ibid.).
The academic component of priestly formation is meant to offer a seminarian an organic and syntethic knowledge of catholic theology. A sound philosophical and theological training is essential for him. It also helps him deepen his faith and his relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Candidates for the priesthood are called to study and meditate the Word of God in the light of the tradition and teaching of the Church. They must also learn to express it in a language that can be readily understood in the social and cultural situation of today.
The present situation, heavily marked by religious indifference, by a widespread mistrust regarding the real capacity of reason to reach objective and universal truth, and by fresh problems and questions brought up by scientific and technological discoveries”, as well as by “the present phenomenon of pluralism, which is very marked in the field not only of human society but also of the community of the Church herself”, makes the intellectual formation of the future priests more urgent. This situation “strongly demands a high level of intellectual formation, such as will enable priests to proclaim, in a context like this, the changeless Gospel of Christ and to make it credible to the legitimate demands of human reason.” (ibid.).