Seminarian: Which Diocese Should I Serve as a Priest?

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I need to choose between two dioceses well before ordination: Lansing, MI or Saginaw, MI. (I am not interested in the Archdiocese of Detroit.)

Since I may be there the rest of my life, I need to choose well, but I don’t know that much about either diocese other than that Saginaw has a reputation for being extremely liberal. (I consider myself to be orthodox).

I also know that Saginaw has a new orthodox bishop, Robert Carlson. What is he like compared to Lansing’s Bishop Carl Mengeling?

Any comments are appreciated.
 
do you get to pick your dioscese? I thought you go with your home dioscese and transfer with your bishop’s permission.
 
I it is my understand, working with our vocations director, that a man may not enter seminary unless recommended by the bishop of the diocese he will be serving (or superior of religious order he is joining). If he changes later, during seminary or after ordination, it has to be with the permission of both bishops. Former pastor was ordained for his home diocese but under spiritual direction looked for a diocese with a more critical need for priests, and chose the one where he now has served for 30 years, but it took the permission of both bishops, and he was ordained in the new diocese.
 
I’ll guarantee your presence in the Diocese of Saginaw will be overwhelmingly welcomed. The only way we can rebuild is if we get young priests coming into the diocese and replacing the Dominican nuns who have taken over the parishes and assumed the title “pastor”. There are too many parishes with no priest at all, and no ability to close, because the rural nature of the diocese would leave them driving 80-100 miles in the winter to attend mass. Instead, we’re having services with Communion by viaticum. It leaves a very disheartened diocese begging for young, eager, orthodox priests who will rebuild our Catholic community and reinstate full sacraments at every parish.
 
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puzzleannie:
I it is my understand, working with our vocations director, that a man may not enter seminary unless recommended by the bishop of the diocese he will be serving (or superior of religious order he is joining). If he changes later, during seminary or after ordination, it has to be with the permission of both bishops. Former pastor was ordained for his home diocese but under spiritual direction looked for a diocese with a more critical need for priests, and chose the one where he now has served for 30 years, but it took the permission of both bishops, and he was ordained in the new diocese.
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Michigan is a different animal. The bishops basically sent their men to the seminary and they didn’t keep much control over them. In the case of Saginaw, the agreement with the former bishop was that he would send the seminarians and get older priests in return. The seminarians would stay down by Detroit to get experience and mentoring, then maybe come back several years later to take over a parish. (We have very few parishes with more than 1 priest anymore.) The problem is that we’re not getting them back. The new bishops aren’t keen on this “program”, so the seminary is giving the seminarians some options…and the bishops are getting younger priests to mentor themselves.

From what I’ve observed, Bishop Carlson is an excellent mentor. Cestus Dei has nothing but high praise for him.
 
I don’t know much about either diocese but I do know Bishop Carlson in Saginaw. He is a good and holy Bishop and I think you would do well to talk to him about being a priest in Saginaw. I am from the Sioux Falls, SD Diocese and we miss him very much.
 
As a knight, I would say check out to see if there are active KC councils in each. The KC are very “orthodox”, at least in my opinion.

BTW if you could choose the archdiosese of Baltimore (Cardinal Keeler) or Washington DC (Cardinal McCarrick) we would be overjoyed to welcome you in Bethesda. I think both are members of the KC
wc
 
lepanto,

At the risk of sounding desperate, I would ask you to please choose the Saginaw Diocese!

I’ve heard Bishop Carlson’s installation homily on tv, saw him at one of his town hall style meetings, and have read a lot about him. He appears to be the ideal Bishop to work for as a priest who considers himself to be orthodox.
 
Don’t ever switch to a diocese because of the bishop that is there, save Rome I guess. I don’t know your full story, but as a seminarian I feel that I have an obligation to my own parish and my own diocese. Even though I may not want to live here the rest of my life, I prefer warmer climates, these are the people who raised me, confirmed me, baptized me, and supported me. It is selfish to think purely in terms of your own interests. Look to what your diocese and parish has given you, and weigh it against what the needs of your diocese are and the needs of the other diocese. Look at your motivations. Talk to the vocation directors. Don’t ever pander for the best deal though.

Then take it all to prayer. You will not find an answer here.
 
Lepanto,

For your sake and that of the Diocese of Saginaw, my vote goes there. Based solely upon what I have read, Bishop Carlson seems to be top notch. I do not know much about Bishop Mengeling, although I do reside in his Diocese.
 
My situation is somewhat different in that I have a choice of dioceses from which to choose.

I have read many great things about Bp. Carlson here and elsewhere. Conversely, I can find next to nothing about Bp. Mengeling…is that a good or bad sign?

Likewise, I’ve read horror stories of the Saginaw diocese here and elsewhere. Moreover, I have several acquaintances from Saginaw, and they are all of the Call to Action school of thought. Conversely, I am unaware if Lansing has any reputation at all (orthodox or heterodox)…is that a good or bad sign?

Believe me, I’m not “playing off” Saginaw vs. Lansing like one might do with two job offers. I realize that the priesthood is not a job.

My biggest fear is getting stuck in a parish full of dissenters and eventually becoming alientated from them, and getting broken and demoralized despite my efforts to reform the parish.

I’m certainly not a spineless man – I know how and would defend orthodoxy as a priest. I realize that Saginaw is in dire need of orthodox priests, but I am only human.
 
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lepanto:
I need to choose between two dioceses well before ordination: Lansing, MI or Saginaw, MI. (I am not interested in the Archdiocese of Detroit.)

Since I may be there the rest of my life, I need to choose well, but I don’t know that much about either diocese other than that Saginaw has a reputation for being extremely liberal. (I consider myself to be orthodox).

I also know that Saginaw has a new orthodox bishop, Robert Carlson. What is he like compared to Lansing’s Bishop Carl Mengeling?

Any comments are appreciated.
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If you are orthodox, then the liberal dioceses need you- don’t shy away from them! You could be the answer to someone’s prayers- and be an instrument of truth to those who don’t know it. This is not a question people on an online forum can or should answer- this is something that you must ask God to tell you where He wants you.
 
Fight for Orthodoxy! As a person who resides in a fairly liberal diocese, I would LOVE it if a very orthodox young priest took one of the parishes…Even if you started with a church full of dissenters, chances are that after the word gets out, you’ll have people coming in from miles around…
 
Goodness me and here I thought a priest was sent rather than got a choice…

:blessyou:
 
What concrete steps has Bp. Carlson implemented so far in order to correct all of the abuses I’ve read about? I know he’s still new in Saginaw, but I’m sure he has had time to make his presence known by now.

I’m much more likely to survive a difficult parish assignment if I have a strong leader to look up to and who would support me.
 
A guy that I was in the seminary with Fr. Richard Fineo is a priest of the Diocese of Fargo. His experience of Bishop Carlson has been nothing but glowing remarks. I would go to Saganaw.
 
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lepanto:
What concrete steps has Bp. Carlson implemented so far in order to correct all of the abuses I’ve read about? I know he’s still new in Saginaw, but I’m sure he has had time to make his presence known by now.

I’m much more likely to survive a difficult parish assignment if I have a strong leader to look up to and who would support me.
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His presence is certainly known. His installation was well publicized and he’s been to several parishes and held open forum type meetings. However, I haven’t heard or noticed anything concrete yet. Maybe you should ask him. 🙂
 
Hi,

I live in a different Michigan diocese, but my travels take me through Saginaw frequently. I’ve never attended Mass in Saginaw, so I’m a neutral outsider.

I have read about lots of abuses here and in the other Saginaw threads. I am interested in attending a Mass to observe for myself.

Please provide the name and city of the parish that you think exemplifies the worst within the diocese of Saginaw. After attending, I will report my observations here.

Thanks.
 
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