Jnanadeepa: Pune Journal of Religious Studies 24/1 Jan-June 2020 Genuinely Christian and Truly Indian: "Formation of the Heart:" An Essential (But Ignored) Element in Priestly Formation

 Formation of priests was a major theme in the writings
of Kurien Kunnumpuram, and the book Called to Serve is
particularly noteworthy. In it Fr Kurien discusses four aspects
of the formation of priests, viz. human, spiritual, intellectual
and pastoral. In this article, the author cont inues his refl ection
on aspects of priestly formation. It particularly focuses on a
grossly neglected area, viz. formation of the heart. The fi rst
part takes a look at the emerging paradox in priestly formation
in the present-day context, and the second part refl ects more
in detail on some key elements in the formation of the heart!
“What do I still lack?” was a question coming from the heart
of a young man, and it required an answer from the heart.
Hearing Jesus’ answer, the young man went away sorrowful,
for he expected an answer from the head, not the heart.
Apathetic theology cautions us about the limits of answers 
from the head, whether in written word or spoken word.
space occupied by the heart. Formation of the heart enables
a pastor to be ‘large-heated’ and ‘broadminded’ reaching
beyond the realms of words and reason. It means conscious
eff ort to create space for others and their concerns, expanding
one’s horizon of relationships to welcome even the excluded.
We need pastors with transformed hearts and are capable of 
transforming the hearts of men and women today. 
There is the ‘empty space’ beyond words, and that is the