Can a man become a priest in another diocese? I ask because I am hoping to join seminary as soon as I enter college and the college seminary that my diocese has is tied to a Catholic-in-name-only college. Though I will refrain from mentioning the college’s name, I feel that my spiritual journey and discernment will be hindered by this college. I recently visited a college outside of my diocese, Loras college, which seems to be a very Catholic college and a good place to go through priestly formation. As long as I still meet the universal requirements to entering seminary, could I enter that diocese seminary?
As a side-note, I have heard the Archdiocese of Dubuque has a shortage of priests and this has contributed to my multitude of reasons for why I wish to attend this college/seminary.
First things first, one does not just enter a Seminary.
First thing you should be doing is talking to a Spiritual Director if you haven’t already. It’s always suggested to discuss a vocation with a spiritual director.
With respect to the priesthood, you have to have a Bishop sponsoring you before you enter the Seminary. So, you need to talk to the Vocations Director for whatever diocese you’re going to apply to. You are allowed to apply to any diocese you want, but they are going to want to know why you are applying to a diocese if you’re not living there.
If you’re accepted as a Seminarian for a certain diocese, they’re going to assign you to a certain Seminary for philosophy and/or theology. Sometimes they may let you choose between 2 or something, but for most diocese you will be assigned to a certain Seminary and you will not have a choice. Diocesan priests make a promise of obedience to their Bishop when they’re ordained, so at this point it’s time to start living that out.
If you think you’re going to have issues with being assigned to a certain Seminary by a bishop, then you might want to do some thinking about your vocation.
Now, let’s look a little bit more at your question of which diocese. Most people apply for their home diocese because that what they’re connected to. It’s also not that uncommon for men to apply to a diocese where they’ve gone to university (not seminary), especially if they’ve had a faith reversion there. Like I said, if you apply to a diocese you don’t live in, they’re going to want a reason why you’re not applying to your home diocese. I’m going to be honest, saying “I don’t like the college there” is not going to look good because they’re going to ask you “what if you don’t like our college?”
So when I finish seminary, I would have to return to my current diocese or, since I lived in Dubuque Iowa during my seminary years, I would be able to stay?
What Seminary you go to is irrelevant. It all depends on which diocese is sponsoring you. If your home diocese sponsors you, then you go home after seminary. But again, whichever diocese accepts you will send you where they do and you likely won’t have a choice in the matter.
