Discussion about this post

User's avatar
MLMinET's avatar

I think exposing seminarians to female professionals is necessary. Female professors, accountants, ministry experts, lawyers, etc., etc. There is a "boys only" culture in this church and a tendency to disregard the advice and counsel of women already employed. My master's thesis showed better decisions--in any organization--are made by men and women TOGETHER, not only one or the other.

Expand full comment
Fr. Brian Hess's avatar

I thing the two major changes in the new PPF are good, but we need to be aware that the only trend in seminary formation is to make it longer, more expensive, and more involved. At some point the law of diminishing returns takes effect, and we'll need to acknowledge that we won't get any better of a priest by making his formation even longer.

The new synthesis stage of formation, thought, seems logistically pretty easy. Simply ordain the seminarian to the transitional diaconate in the spring when he graduates from seminary and assign him to the parish that'll be used as his first presbyteral assignment. Put him on the payroll and have him live in the rectory just like a priest, and in the fall ordain him a priest. There would be a few small hurdles with this plan, but easily surmounted.

But on the other hand, to play devil's advocate against the synthesis stage, what is gained by delaying the man's ability to say Mass and hear Confessions for six months? The experiences that will be gained during the synthesis stage-working with lay staff and volunteers, being immersed in a parish, etc-currently happen during the new priest's first assignment, and a deacon in the synthesis stage won't be "done" with those experiences after six months in the diaconate. Such lessons and experiences are a lifelong process for everyone, clerical and lay. I'll be very interested in reading the full PPF and seeing examples of the the synthesis stage utilized well.

On the other hand, I did have a "spirituality year" in seminary. It wasn't at the beginning like the propaedeutic year, but rather was halfway through, between the Philosophy and Theology studies. It was hands down the most important year of my formation.

Expand full comment
11 more comments...
Latest

No posts