BISHOPS OF BRAZIL: ADEQUATE FORMATION IN THE SEMINARIES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 5, 2002 (VIS) - This morning at Castelgandolfo the Pope received a group of prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of the Eastern Region of Brazil who just completed their "ad limina" visit.

John Paul II proposed some ideas regarding the formation of future priests in the seminaries. "The secret to obtaining good results lies in the strength of God and in human work, fulfilled with wisdom," he said. "Wisdom is to strengthen the centers of formation" and "to take care with the quality of the formation."
"It is not enough to strengthen the centers of formation," he continued, "but you must persevere to obtain the ecclesial spirit which must govern a seminary, as well as quality in instruction."

The Holy Father recalled that "many new, valid experiences exist, such as vocation days, vocational discernment, accompanying possible candidates before entering the seminary."

After emphasizing that "a solid formation is fundamental for prayer life and liturgy," he said: "In this sense, faithfulness to doctrine on priestly celibacy for the Kingdom of Heaven must be considered 'with great esteem for the Church, especially priestly life,' when it comes to discerning the call to unconditional and full surrender in candidates for the priesthood. It is necessary to remind them that celibacy is not an extrinsic and useless element - a superstructure - to their priesthood, but an intimate convenience in order to participate in the dignity of Christ and in the service of the new humanity."

"It would be regrettable," stated the Pope, "that for mistaken tolerance, immature young men, or those with obvious signs of deviations, were ordained, which, as it is sadly known, can cause serious anomalies in the consciences of the faithful, producing clear damage to the whole Church."

The Holy Father concluded by exhorting bishops to pay attention "so that the theology classrooms are not reduced to a human vision of the Church in the midst of men. ... Adequate formation in the seminaries will be of great benefit for the Church, for evangelization as well as for true human promotion."

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