Seminaries producing "Half-Baked Priests" say rectors
(November 17,2010) Some seminaries in India are producing “half-baked priests” because
professors lack the skills to give the students an integral formation, the secretary
of the Association of Rectors of Major Seminaries (ARMS) said on the sidelines of
a recent conference at Ajmer, Rajasthan State. Fr. John Kulandai told Ucanews “Professors
have degrees that equip them for academic training but not to deal with the complex
nature of priestly formation.” He said to address the problem, rectors have agreed
to make it obligatory for the seminary professors to undergo a year’s training at
the National Vocation Service Centre in Pune, Maharashtra State. The 53 rectors at
Ajmer, also pledged to address “ecological concerns in priestly formation” by evolving
ecology-based theology and spirituality and practical measures, such as developing
herb gardens and avoiding private vehicles. ARMS president Fr. Prasad Pinto told ucanews
that the association chose the theme on ecology to respond to modern eco-crises
in the wake of tsunami and climate change. He said the new spirituality promoted
in priestly formation reaffirms the interdependence of various beings to foster harmony
in the earth community. Jesuit ecologist Father Robert Athickal, asserted the Church
would experience positive changes, if one fourth of those involved in training priests
and Religious decided to promote ecology. The Latin rite bishops’ Commission for Vocations,
Seminaries, Clergy and Religious organized the program.