Sacred Heart Institute
For the ongoing formation of clergy
Continuing Formation Units
The code of Canon Law mandates that all priests make an annual retreat. The Second Vatican Council
also called upon the clergy to engage in opportunities for ongoing education - a summons that has been
reiterated by numerous Church documents and in the writings of Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope
Benedict XVI.
As part of their ongoing cooperative efforts to expand and improve clergy formation in the Archdiocese
of New York and the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre, Cardinal Dolan, Bishop Murphy, and
Bishop DiMarzio have decided to invest significant resources in the establishment of the Sacred Heart
Institute for the ongoing formation of Catholic clergy. This new institute will offer programs of spiritual,
pastoral, intellectual, and human renewal for the priests and deacons of the three partner dioceses.
In the interests of accountability to the expectations of the universal Church and the needs of the people
of God in these local churches, the three ordinaries now require that all priests and deacons of the three
dioceses meet certain minimum standards of ongoing formation. They have charged the Sacred Heart
Institute with the responsibility of keeping the records of the fulfillment of the requirements. To that
end, you will find here a system of earning "Continuing Formation Units."
Who will need to earn the units?
Each incardinated, actively serving, priest in the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn,
and the Diocese of Rockville Centre is required to earn a minimum of 10 units over a three year cycle.
The annual retreat will no longer be included in the total, however SHI must still be notified of
attendance at an annual retreat. Units may be earned in a variety of activities offered by Sacred Heart or
in other institutions of education or ongoing formation.
What is the value of a unit?
The “unit” value of activities or programs will be determined by the staff of SHI. The general principle
is that each day of the activity or program will be the equivalent of one unit. Here are some sample
values:
Day of recollection – 1 unit
Study week – 7 units
3 credit hour academic course – 12 units
Some SHI activities of a more fraternal nature might not be assigned any unit value, but most programs
would be assigned a value. The individual would have wide latitude in choosing the kinds of programs
that he wishes to attend.
Are there priests who are not subject to the requirement?
Any Catholic priest in good standing is welcome to take part in SHI programs (with some exceptions –
for example a clergy conference open only to the priests of one diocese). Only the actively serving
priests of the three partnership dioceses are subject to the requirement that they earn units.
Religious priests serving in the three dioceses are not required to earn units. They are governed by the
ongoing formation requirements of their community.
Retired priests, while welcome to take part in SHI programs, are not required to earn units. The
canonical requirement of an annual retreat remains.
Priests who are serving temporarily in one of the three dioceses such as summer help or student priests
are not subject to the requirement.
Priests who have taken a leave of absence or been suspended are not required to earn Continuing
Formation Units.
How may priests earn continuing formation units?
Priests may earn units by taking part in any of the courses or programs offered by SHI. The registration
info for each event or offering will indicate the number of units earned by participation. Generally
speaking, there will be a one day to one unit correlation.
Priests may also earn units by participating in programs offered by other institutions. SHI will assign
unit values to the programs that are commonly used by priests. That list will be found on the SHI
website. If a priest wishes to attend a program that is not listed, he will need to inform SHI of the nature
of the program so that units may be determined and so that he will receive credit.
Priests will also be able to earn units by participating in diocesan programs such as clergy convocations.
Why a three year cycle?
Given that priests might have a change of assignment, family obligations, or illness in a given year, the
three year cycle gives each priest flexibility in the timing of his participation in continuing formation.
Special categories
Recently ordained
Recently ordained priests are required to participate in a program of orientation and this program
fulfills their Continuing Formation Unit requirements. Recently ordained are still free to take part
in other events and they remain subject to the canonical requirement of an annual retreat.
New Pastors
New pastors are required to take part in new pastor orientation.
International priests
International priests who arrive to serve in one of the three dioceses and intend to remain for at
least 18 months are required to participate in the SHI orientation of international priests or
another program approved by SHI. For a period of three years, international priests will be
assigned a mentor. If an international priest wishes to be considered for incardination or will
work in one of the three dioceses for more than three years, he is subject to the unit requirements
(except in the case of international priests who belong to religious communities).
Student priests
Incardinated priests of the three dioceses, assigned to advanced study by their Ordinary, are
exempt from unit requirements for the duration of their studies. The canonical requirement of an
annual retreat remains in force during his studies.
Priests serving outside the three dioceses
Incardinated priests of the three dioceses who serve in ministry outside the three dioceses may
request and exemption from unit requirements. The request for an exemption should be directed
to the Vicar for Clergy or Personnel Director of his home diocese.
Special circumstances
If a priest is suffering serious or chronic illness he may be exempted from the unit requirement. The
decision to exempt a man will be made by the Vicar for Clergy or Personnel Director of his home
diocese.
If there are other special circumstances, priests may apply for a reduction in or exemption from the unit
requirement. The request should be made to the respective Vicar for Clergy or Personnel Director.
Records of Continuing Formation Units
SHI will be responsible for maintaining the record of each priest with regard to the accumulation of
CFU's. When priests take part in SHI events or programs, he will automatically be credited with the
units. If he takes part in some other program, it will be his responsibility to inform SHI so that the units
earned may be recorded.
All priests subject to the mandate must register as members of SHI (www.Cor-Jesu.org) so that their
units may be recorded. The three year cycle begins on Sept. 1 and concludes three years later on Aug.
31. At the end of the three year cycle, the three bishops will receive a record of the units accrued by each
priest from his diocese. The record of units will be accessible to priests so that they may inform SHI of
missing units or errors in record keeping.