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.