Can somebody become a priest or a deacon if he does not have a theological schooling

  • Thread starter Thread starter miljan12
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

miljan12

Guest
in orthodox church you can become a priest without theological schooling so i was wondering if that is the case with catholic church
 
Priest all come from different backgrounds. The seminary provides all the academic and theological training they need. :highprayer:
 
The Latin Code (Can. 235) stipulates an absolute minimum of four years in a major seminary (usually it’s more like 5-7 years for parish priests, and for religious priests, even longer). I’ve heard of bishops granting a dispensation from this rule in rare cases, but have nothing to confirm this.
 
That’s what seminary is: school/formation for priests.
The Deaconate program here requires 5 years of formation. They take classes on Saturdays in this Archdiocese. Classes taught by priests and highly degreed lay persons.
The wives even take same classes, as they are called to support their Deacon husbands in their ministry.
 
My diaconate formation program (and others I know about) includes classes in theology (both moral and sacramental) as well as scriptural studies, basic canon law, Christology, Mariology, and a host of other topics. Many of our deacons end up with masters degrees in theology, but it is not a requirement in my diocese. All of our priest have degrees heavy in philosophy and theology.

In the Latin Church there is a strong desire that all clergy are formed in 4 keys areas; one of which is intellectual formation (the other 3 being spiritual, human and pastoral formation). The amount of theology seems to vary in deacon formation programs much more than priestly formation in seminaries, but they all seem to include it at some level.
 
miljan12 said:
in orthodox church you can become a priest without theological schooling so i was wondering if that is the case with catholic church
Click to expand...
It is the norm in most Orthodox jurisdictions in North America for a priest to have the equivalent to a Master’s in theology. Even on the rare occasions in which this doesn’t happen, Orthodox priests still receive theological training, it just doesn’t necessarily happen in a seminary/classroom setting.

The Melkite Church follows a parish-based model of formation for priests, yet still requires a Master’s in theology. Seminary attendance is not required.

catholicherald.com/stories/Called-to-the-priesthood,31578
Unlike in the Roman Catholic tradition, Melkite parishes serve as the primary schools of formation for new priests, said Father Carnazzo. Canon law requires that all priests have a master’s in theology, he said, but otherwise their bishop determines the necessary level of higher education.

“The seminary system as we know it today was a Latin response to the Protestant Reformation, to ensure better formation for their priests,” he said. “(Protestantism) didn’t impact the Byzantine churches as dramatically, so we retained the apostolic practice of seminary being the formation at home and at one’s parish. That is the seedbed.”
Click to expand...
 
One of my friends thinks that deacons are one notch above an altar boy.

When I pointed out that deacons take Holy Orders, he kind of went into total blank.

He had NO IDEA.

He thought it was kind of an honorific.

A deacon works for the Bishop and may be called upon to do any of many different kinds of things. Geographical relocation. Performing marriage preparation. Weddings and funerals. All sorts of things.
 
As has been stated is “it depends”. Like everything else there are traditional models, best practices, and locally modified situations due to practical necessity. Of course with the Bishops approval.

Generally speaking a degree in theology and a period of formation which accompanies the education is the norm. Necessity sometimes dictates modification of the norm. There is always a period of discernment both on the part of the church community and the person feeling called to ensure God’s will is being done.

Throughout the ages there has been a common practice of “reading for orders” which means private study and meeting with a Priest / Priests for testing and formation.

Good luck!
 
Well, the way I look at it, Jesus gave the apostles theological training before they became priests so why wouldn’t we do the same today?
 
In Anglicanism there used to be, and sometimes still used, a practice called “Reading for Orders” where a man would study privately and meet regularly with a Priest for formation. At the end he would meet with a board for testing / approval then be ordained.
 
I think the process of praxis where some Orthodox priest and deacons are formed is an important model for the Catholic Church to consider. For lack of a better word men become “apprentices” to their formation priests. The period of spiritual and intellectual praxis can be lengthy (a decade or more) depending on the candidate. I think it can be a superior system in comparison to the existing seminary system depending on the candidate and his priest’s ability and resources to form him (with assistance of course) over time.

Sadly I don’t think it will ever see widespread use in the Catholic Church anytime soon because as an alternative route to ordination, it would be a political threat to the seminary system and that just wouldn’t be allowed.
 
ChurchSoldier said:
In Anglicanism there used to be, and sometimes still used, a practice called “Reading for Orders” where a man would study privately and meet regularly with a Priest for formation. At the end he would meet with a board for testing / approval then be ordained.
Click to expand...
That’s pretty awesome to be honest. There would have to be standards to ensure the candidate was ready for ordination.

I realize there is more to seminary that study and prayer but I truly don’t think it’s for everyone.
 
Stylteralmaldo said:
Well, the way I look at it, Jesus gave the apostles theological training before they became priests so why wouldn’t we do the same today?
Click to expand...
Largely because of two things I think. Quality assurance and politics. Even with the formal seminary system, it seems next to impossible to assure the quality of formation candidates undergo. I think an independent study/praxis system could easily be subject to abuse.

I think many would also see another route to the priesthood as a threat to the seminary system and that just wouldn’t be tolerated.

That said in some African countries, I understand that many priests do receive their formation through guided independent study and praxis.
 
EyesClosed said:
… men become “apprentices” … I think it can be a superior system in comparison to the existing seminary system depending on the candidate and his priest’s ability and resources to form him (with assistance of course) over time.
Click to expand...
To be sure, nothing compares with one-on-one training, but how would that be possible today, given the ratio of priests to seminarians?
 
EyesClosed said:
I think the process of praxis where some Orthodox priest and deacons are formed is an important model for the Catholic Church to consider. For lack of a better word men become “apprentices” to their formation priests. The period of spiritual and intellectual praxis can be lengthy (a decade or more) depending on the candidate. I think it can be a superior system in comparison to the existing seminary system depending on the candidate and his priest’s ability and resources to form him (with assistance of course) over time.

Sadly I don’t think it will ever see widespread use in the Catholic Church anytime soon because as an alternative route to ordination, it would be a political threat to the seminary system and that just wouldn’t be allowed.
Click to expand...
I seriously doubt that private formation would ever be a threat to any seminary. Although the start of seminaries may have been the reaction to the Reformation, they have advanced a bit, or maybe even more in the +/- 400 years since. And while obtaining a Masters is part of seminary training, most seminarians in our archdiocese spend time in a number of parishes and other settings in addition to training at the seminary in matters other than the courses in the Masters program. So in effect, it is to limited degree the apprentice program of which you speak, already in place.
 
Ad_Orientem said:
To be sure, nothing compares with one-on-one training, but how would that be possible today, given the ratio of priests to seminarians?
Click to expand...
Considering there are far, far more priests than there are seminarians, it seems to be working fairly well.
 
Ad_Orientem said:
To be sure, nothing compares with one-on-one training, but how would that be possible today, given the ratio of priests to seminarians?
Click to expand...
It all depends on the situation. An acquaintance of mine (Orthodox not Catholic) had been a member of his parish for about 10 years when his pastor asked him to consider beginning formation to become a deacon. I think it’s significant that he was asked and that he was extremely well known at a rather small parish.

Through a process of directed self-study, spiritual direction and pastoral training he was ordained 6 years later. He never attended seminary, but the amount of time he spent in preparation was notable.

He was nearing retirement and was discussing his future with his pastor. He said within 5-6 years he and his wife were planning to move to be around all of their children and grandchildren. His pastor realized there was a great need for a priest where he was ultimately headed so he began the process of priestly formation. He became a priest before they moved.

That sort of thing is extremely uncommon in the Catholic Church but I don’t think it should be.
 
EyesClosed said:
It all depends on the situation. An acquaintance of mine (Orthodox not Catholic) had been a member of his parish for about 10 years when his pastor asked him to consider beginning formation to become a deacon. I think it’s significant that he was asked and that he was extremely well known at a rather small parish.

Through a process of directed self-study, spiritual direction and pastoral training he was ordained 6 years later. He never attended seminary, but the amount of time he spent in preparation was notable.

He was nearing retirement and was discussing his future with his pastor. He said within 5-6 years he and his wife were planning to move to be around all of their children and grandchildren. His pastor realized there was a great need for a priest where he was ultimately headed so he began the process of priestly formation. He became a priest before they moved.

That sort of thing is extremely uncommon in the Catholic Church but I don’t think it should be.
Click to expand...
Great idea… bugs me though that they get no or little remuneration. This does limit. I know men who would try but they are working two jobs to support young families.
 
Ad_Orientem said:
I’ve heard of bishops granting a dispensation from this rule in rare cases, but have nothing to confirm this.
Click to expand...
I personally know of an anecdotal anomaly of a seminarian who failed most of his classes for the two years he was in seminary, was dispensed from his program and was ordained. The PPF is a suggestion, and there’s nothing canonically binding about it.

Standard ordination requirement in a diocese is an mDiv or STB (in some cases, I’ve known bishops who have permitted MA or no degree). The requirement of a degree is the widespread practice.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top