Is it required reading at the seminaries today to read the whole Bible?

[Abba]

I was just watching a video on Youtube of a french speaking priest from Quebec who left the priesthood. He got me anxious to learn the reason why he left as he gives a lot of information about his life in the priesthood with old photos and all. Finally, he gives the most outrageous reason. He says that there came a point in his life when he decided to dedicate himself to reading sacred scripture and that is when he learned that the teachings of the Church are not backed by the bible. For the love of God! Really? How sad.

How can this be? When I speak with a priest, I assume he has read the whole bible at least once.

Is reading the complete bible required today in order to be ordained?

 

[achmafooma]

I don’t know the answer to your question, but I am curious as well.

I’m also very sad to hear what that priest said. I was a very dedicated member of the United Methodist Church, and I too decided to read the scriptures, and doing so (with much help from the Holy Spirit) led me – with surprising speed – TO the Catholic Church.

There are a million examples, but the most obvious one to me is divorce and remarriage. Christ says, VERY clearly, that divorcing your spouse and remarrying is committing adultery. And yet the Catholic Church is pretty much the only one left that holds to that teaching.

I decided that I would go with Christ, and that led me right into the doors of his One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

 

[phil19034]

I was just watching a video on Youtube of a french speaking priest from Quebec who left the priesthood. He got me anxious to learn the reason why he left as he gives a lot of information about his life in the priesthood with old photos and all. Finally, he gives the most outrageous reason. He says that there came a point in his life when he decided to dedicate himself to reading sacred scripture and that is when he learned that the teachings of the Church are not backed by the bible. For the love of God! Really? How sad.

How can this be? When I speak with a priest, I assume he has read the whole bible at least once.

Is reading the complete bible required today in order to be ordained?

I’m sorry… but I don’t believe him. This is more fundamentalist propaganda. If he was a Catholic Priest, and didn’t know the Bible before he was ordained… why wouldn’t he use the resources he has to learn how the Church interprets the Bible (which he would have learned).

Most likely, he didn’t agree with some Dogma, Doctrine or Discipline of the Church first. Then, used his reading of Bible and his practice of Sola Scriptura as an excuse to leave. Just like Martin Luther did.

 

[Abba]

I’m sorry… but I don’t believe him. This is more fundamentalist propaganda. If he was a Catholic Priest, and didn’t know the Bible before he was ordained… why wouldn’t he use the resources he has to learn how the Church interprets the Bible (which he would have learned).

Most likely, he didn’t agree with some Dogma, Doctrine or Discipline of the Church first. Then, used his reading of Bible and his practice of Sola Scriptura as an excuse to leave. Just like Martin Luther did.

I was thinking along the same line as well.

Later…edited to add:

Et voila! Here we go… he soon after got married. Now with his wife he goes around evangelizing as an evangelical pastor. I wonder how much of a role that may have played. He claims that other priests who worked with him in Bolivia were irritated with his desire to study the Bible. Sure, tell me more.

youtube.com/watch?v=1NXoBHoeC2Y

At the note below the screen they mention Alberto Rivera who left the Church to get marry after being a famous priest. He was caught at the beach… so he decided to leave the priesthood to get marry. But, Now, Mr. Alberto goes around speaking badly of the Catholic Church as a Lutheran pastor - it’s how he pays the rent.
+++
I still want to know if reading the whole bible is required reading before ordination.

 

[ChibiViolet]

I’m sorry… but I don’t believe him. This is more fundamentalist propaganda. If he was a Catholic Priest, and didn’t know the Bible before he was ordained… why wouldn’t he use the resources he has to learn how the Church interprets the Bible (which he would have learned).

Most likely, he didn’t agree with some Dogma, Doctrine or Discipline of the Church first. Then, used his reading of Bible and his practice of Sola Scriptura as an excuse to leave. Just like Martin Luther did.

Yes and interestingly, when Martin Luther left and translated the Bible, his translation left out anything he didn’t agree with…

 

[TimothyH]

I doubt that any seminary requires potential priests to read the Bible cover to cover as a requirement for graduation or ordination.

Sacred Scripture is a major part of their study and they do get very deep but it makes no sense to force someone read the Bible just for the sake of saying that they have read the whole Bible without an understanding what they are reading.

Most diocesean priests are formed in pastoral theology, not Biblical theology. This includes our Catholic religious heritage, evangelization in today’s world, pastoral skills needed for service as priests and other such non-Biblical goals. They are trained to be shepherds, not Biblical scholars.

-Tim-

 

[phil19034]

I doubt that any seminary requires potential priests to read the Bible cover to cover as a requirement for graduation or ordination.

Sacred Scripture is a major part of their study and they do get very deep but it makes no sense to force someone read the Bible just for the sake of saying that they have read the whole Bible without an understanding what they are reading.

Most diocesean priests are formed in pastoral theology, not Biblical theology. This includes our Catholic religious heritage, evangelization in today’s world, pastoral skills needed for service as priests and other such non-Biblical goals. They are trained to be shepherds, not Biblical scholars.

-Tim-

With this said, some do have Master’s, Ph.D. Th.D. or S.T.D. degree in Biblical Theology.

 

[edward_george]

At my seminary, in a certain sense, it is required to at least read certain portions of each book of the Bible. The majority of my theology classes have been in Scripture–and not just because that’s my Masters concentration, but because the core requires it; we have to have Pentateuch, Prophets, Wisdom Literature, Mark-Matthew, Luke-Acts, Joannine Corpus, and Pauline Corpus (each one of those a separate semester-long class). If you add in electives in Psalms (which is also taught in the Wisdom course, albeit for only a week or two, rather than a whole semester) and in the Catholic epistles, what you wind up with in terms of assigned reading is that you do read the entirety of Scripture over the course of your seminary career. Of course, it is advisable to do so more frequently; I have availed myself of a good “Read the Bible in a Year” plan for my own personal enrichment, and many others do the same.

-ACEGC

 

[GEddie]

Following the thread just to learn the answer.

I imagine it varies from seminary to seminary.

ICXC NIKA

 

[johnnyc176]

Reading the Bible is not the problem…it’s how you read the Bible.

113 2. Read the Scripture within “the living Tradition of the whole Church”. According to a saying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the Church’s heart rather than in documents and records, for the Church carries in her Tradition the living memorial of God’s Word, and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture

Christianity is not a religion of the book. It is the religion of God’s Word which comes to us in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the teaching authority of the Church that Jesus founded, the Catholic Church.

 

[Samwise1]

In my diocese, reading the Bible is part of the introductory formation (like speech therapy, Greek/Latin, music). But not the whole Bible, because:
-The New Testament is fully covered within 3 years of daily Mass readings (and going to daily Mass was a requirement)
-Some parts of the Old Testament are repeating other books (I think 1&2 Chronicles and 1&2 Kings)

It’s important to realize that there are two sources for the faith of the Church: Scripture and Tradition. Since it’s impossible to read the whole Tradition, reading Scripture to understand the faith doesn’t make too much sense. Also Jesus completed the Old Testament in a certain way. He gave meaning to it, and the Church continues giving meaning to the Scriptures.

What I liked about reading the Bible, was not so much the knowledge - because everything depends on how you read it, and there is so much ‘info’ included -, but to have a reference for eventual homilies, counseling, etc. and to deepen my own spirituality. And there’s some big heroic adventures - Judges, Ezra, Tobit, Ruth… that I think would be a great inspiration for young people so also for me.

A big part of seminary is Exegesis (reading the Bible as a theologian), Spirituality (including praying with the Bible), Daily Mass (listening to the Bible) and Dogmatics (using the Bible as a source for theology). So either the seminary did a bad job, or he -like people say- was already looking for a reason to leave.

 

[coachdennis]

I was just watching a video on Youtube of a french speaking priest from Quebec who left the priesthood. He got me anxious to learn the reason why he left as he gives a lot of information about his life in the priesthood with old photos and all. Finally, he gives the most outrageous reason. He says that there came a point in his life when he decided to dedicate himself to reading sacred scripture and that is when he learned that the teachings of the Church are not backed by the bible. For the love of God! Really? How sad.

How can this be? When I speak with a priest, I assume he has read the whole bible at least once.

Is reading the complete bible required today in order to be ordained?

IMHO, your first problem is relying on a youtube video for anything authorative beyond the proper way of how to cut a watermelon. Check out the source of ANY video you watch.

Also I would take with a grain of salt any book, video, etc. containing experiences from ex-seminarians or seminary life. Most writers have an agenda and that agenda is definitely anti-Catholic.

 

[Church_Militant]

I was thinking along the same line as well.

Later…edited to add:

Et voila! Here we go… he soon after got married. Now with his wife he goes around evangelizing as an evangelical pastor. I wonder how much of a role that may have played. He claims that other priests who worked with him in Bolivia were irritated with his desire to study the Bible. Sure, tell me more.

youtube.com/watch?v=1NXoBHoeC2Y

At the note below the screen they mention Alberto Rivera who left the Church to get marry after being a famous priest. He was caught at the beach… so he decided to leave the priesthood to get marry. But, Now, Mr. Alberto goes around speaking badly of the Catholic Church as a Lutheran pastor - it’s how he pays the rent.
+++
I still want to know if reading the whole bible is required reading before ordination.

Wait a minute…see that bolded line up there? Alberto Rivera was proved to be a fraud who hoaxed Jack T. Chick (Scroll down a bit to “Who Was Alberto Rivera?”) Obviously this guy is just another a-C charlatan who’s in it for the $$$$$$

 

[Abba]

Wait a minute…see that bolded line up there? Alberto Rivera was proved to be a fraud who hoaxed Jack T. Chick (Scroll down a bit to “Who Was Alberto Rivera?”) Obviously this guy is just another a-C charlatan who’s in it for the $$$$$$

I read the link. Lol. It’s so outrageous I found it funny.

In all fairness, Tremblay is not associating himself with Rivera but the person who uploaded the video is throwing in Rivera to back up the condemnation of the Church. Supposedly, the poster claims, Rivera reveals things the Church has hidden well. Titoodidoo… welcome to the twilight zone. youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y

Btw, I made a mistake; I thought the ‘priest’ (quotation marks as Rivera was not one) was the Alberto from Florida. content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1896581,00.html

CATHOLIC CHURCH FULL OF GAY PRIESTS, CLAIMS FATHER CUTIÉ
miaminewtimes.com/news/catholic-church-full-of-gay-priests-claims-father-cuti-6519544

Now he is married with a family and partially lives off condemning the Church. It seems to be one thing they all have in common, except that Alberto Rivera was an impostor priest.

I think the very fact that the two priests who left the Church and turned around it to vehemently condemn even though they left for selfish reason; show a serious lack of spiritual immaturity. Their lack of spiritual maturity would open the doors to leaving to get marry.

Yet, I personally knew a priest who left the Church to get marry. He was an intelligent and mature man. And, somehow, before he passed away he was back in the priesthood even though he had married and had children. I don’t know how that worked out. I had and maintain a lot of respect for this person and how he was mature enough to accept his short comings versus an immature person who turns around to accuse as a form of running away from facing themselves and callously mislead souls to save face.

 

[Abba]

but it makes no sense to force someone read the Bible just for the sake of saying that they have read the whole Bible without an understanding what they are reading.
-Tim-

Well, I was not thinking that seminarians would be required to read the whole bible at least once just for the sake of saying that they did nor to have just read it without understanding and how it is all in harmony with the teachings of the Church. In times gone by, it may have been totally fine to be educated in the traditions of the Church and to be pastors and not necessarily biblical scholars. However, in our day and age, most specially when so many Catholics are being mislead into sects due to their own lack of knowledge of the bible, I think it is important for priests to be knowledgeable of the bible. Not so they can just say so, but, because the laity the world over needs to recourse to the priests for answers and at times - bible studies.

It was a bible study group requested by the laity in Bolivia that Mr. Tremblay was going to lead. He says that he felt obligated to read the bible in order to lead the group and supposedly that is when he recognized the bible says one thing and the Church another.

I can see how it is not required reading for the laity but, well, I am very surprised it is not for seminarians. I understand sects have been very successful in isolated regions in South America which have been somewhat neglected by the Church exactly because they challenge the laity with the bible and they are unable to respond logically, coherently and with spiritual foundation to the challenges.

**1 Peter 3:15

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.**

P.s. Sorry about the sloppy post above and of course, I meant to type: lack of spiritual maturity.

 

[Church_Militant]

I asked our newest parish priest who’s two years out of seminary and this was his answer.

Um…

It is not a requirement to demonstrate that one has read the Bible cover to cover in order to be recommended for Holy Orders.

Of course we read the Scriptures in the context of the Liturgy.

We take courses on different sections of the Bible.

 

[Church_Militant]

I read the link. Lol. It’s so outrageous I found it funny.

In all fairness, Tremblay is not associating himself with Rivera but the person who uploaded the video is throwing in Rivera to back up the condemnation of the Church. Supposedly, the poster claims, Rivera reveals things the Church has hidden well. Titoodidoo… welcome to the twilight zone. youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y

Btw, I made a mistake; I thought the ‘priest’ (quotation marks as Rivera was not one) was the Alberto from Florida. content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1896581,00.htmlYeah…I don’t speak French so the video and comments is lost on me. The person who tried to use Alberto Rivera has been gulled by propaganda.

CATHOLIC CHURCH FULL OF GAY PRIESTS, CLAIMS FATHER CUTIÉ
miaminewtimes.com/news/catholic-church-full-of-gay-priests-claims-father-cuti-6519544

Now he is married with a family and partially lives off condemning the Church. It seems to be one thing they all have in common, except that Alberto Rivera was an impostor priest.Yet this guy …having bailed from the faith and the priesthood (and having left only a little ahead of being booted from the priesthood for his sexual misconduct (namely fornication) so how can anyone trust him?

As for that accusation…does he know all priests? Can he site any evidence to prove the veracity of his allegation? Has his lifestyle so far given us reason to believe that he is a truthful and trustworthy source?

I would say no to all of the above…and walk away… Besides…the question is whether priests read the Bible, so that has nothing at all to do with it.

I think the very fact that the two priests who left the Church and turned around it to vehemently condemn even though they left for selfish reason; show a serious lack of spiritual -]im/-]maturity. Their lack of spiritual maturity would open the doors to leaving to get marry.

Yet, I personally knew a priest who left the Church to get marry. He was an intelligent and mature man. And, somehow, before he passed away he was back in the priesthood even though he had married and had children. I don’t know how that worked out. I had and maintain a lot of respect for this person and how he was mature enough to accept his short comings versus an immature person who turns around to accuse as a form of running away from facing themselves and callously mislead souls to save face.

Yeah, I know a priest who also left. He was/is a good friend of mine. I do not rejoice in what happened, but I don’t despise him for it and leave any judgement to the only one who can be a just judge.

It is my opinion that some people do not properly discern their vocations before making commitment and that is just another aspect of our human frailties.

It has also been my own experience that the most devout Catholics (including priests) have read and know the Bible at least as well as and in many cases better than our n-C counterparts. This has definitely been the case in my own life.

 

[Abba]

At my seminary, in a certain sense, it is required to at least read certain portions of each book of the Bible. The majority of my theology classes have been in Scripture–and not just because that’s my Masters concentration, but because the core requires it; we have to have Pentateuch, Prophets, Wisdom Literature, Mark-Matthew, Luke-Acts, Joannine Corpus, and Pauline Corpus (each one of those a separate semester-long class). If you add in electives in Psalms (which is also taught in the Wisdom course, albeit for only a week or two, rather than a whole semester) and in the Catholic epistles, what you wind up with in terms of assigned reading is that you do read the entirety of Scripture over the course of your seminary career. Of course, it is advisable to do so more frequently; I have availed myself of a good “Read the Bible in a Year” plan for my own personal enrichment, and many others do the same.

-ACEGC

Thank you edward_george for this contribution.:tiphat:

 

[Abba]

I asked our newest parish priest who’s two years out of seminary and this was his answer.

Thank you very much, Church Militant for asking the priest. I really appreciate it.

Well, folks, there you have it. It looks as though it is not required at the seminaries to read the whole bible. However, they do cover a lot. Hopefully, they cover all those typical questions that are posed to challenge the faith. Some of those questions are centuries old and many of which are just presented with a different twist and others date back to the time of Jesus. Then there are just the usual ones: how did Cain find a wife etc…

Hope you are satisfied with the response GEddie.

 

[Abba]

I do not rejoice in what happened, but I don’t despise him for it and leave any judgement to the only one who can be a just judge.
Exactly.
Church Militant;13096591:

It is my opinion that some people do not properly discern their vocations before making commitment and that is just another aspect of our human frailties.

Right.

It has also been my own experience that the most devout Catholics (including priests) have read and know the Bible at least as well as and in many cases better than our n-C counterparts. This has definitely been the case in my own life.

Mine as well. And when you asked them to show you in the bible whatever weird thing they are claiming they can’t find and will get back to you after they ask their pastor. Never to return. Most of them know some limited versus which they use as weapons and that’s it.

+++

I came upon that video because I fell asleep listening to a catechism course by Father Philippe Laguérie youtube.com/watch?v=do-5BY6FseM and this videos was screen when I woke up. It just caught my attention and I wanted to know why he left the priesthood. If he would have said he fell in love and made the decision, well, it’s between him and God. But, to go and get marry and turn around and attack the Church it’s sad. I wonder if he really doesn’t know what he gave up when he gave up the Catholic Church.

Well, the way he goes about it is what I call great cherry picking. He plasters one quote on the screen (e.g. 1 Timothy 4,3 ) just one - nothing else matters nor exists. He plays with the verses like cards of a deck. Then, this broke my heart, especially because he is a priest; at 54:16 he attacks the Virgin Mary and advises his listeners not to go on pilgrimages etc…

---

Thanks all for your contributions and answering my question. I’m going to go back to my catechism course. Praying for our priests.