Vatican to Start U.S. Seminary Evaluations

[buffalo]

Vatican to Start U.S. Seminary Evaluations

Three years after the clergy sex abuse crisis rocked the Roman Catholic church, a Vatican-directed evaluation of all U.S. seminaries is scheduled to begin late next month.

Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, the U.S. coordinator for the review, said 117 bishops and seminary staff will visit more than 220 campuses, working in teams of three for smaller programs or four for the larger ones, Catholic News Service reported Monday.

The visits are one result of the abuse crisis that hit the American church with full force in 2002. The study will give special attention to schools’ preparation for the celibate life and fidelity to church teachings on morality.

Another brewing issue that could be involved is whether seminaries should enroll priestly candidates who are homosexual but willing to abide by the celibacy rule.

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[Deacon_Ed]

We should also note that this is not the first time the Vatican has done an evaluation tour of the seminaries here (or elsewhere). The reason for the evaluation is to ensure that the seminaries are conforming to the requirements for priestly formation as spelled out in the various documents form Rome and, secondarily, to ensure that the appropriate psychological screening is taking place.

I will be interested to see how the evaluation team responds to the fact that very few seminaries even offer Latin, let alone require it.

Deacon Ed

 

[stbruno]

In my opinion, this will be definitely be interesting to find out the results. Let us pray for the evaluation team as well as our seminarians. They deserve only the best that can be taught them so they can serve the Kingdom here on earth.

 

[Brendan]

Deacon Ed:

I will be interested to see how the evaluation team responds to the fact that very few seminaries even offer Latin, let alone require it.

Sacred Heart Seminary, here in Detroit, requires a year of Latin and semester of Kione Greek. It is expected that this will be part of one’s undergrad work, but will be added to the M.Div course work if not.

I also believe the Liturgy Practica also cover the Pauline Mass in Latin (being the Normative Mass of the Latin Church)

 

[WanderAimlessly]

Deacon Ed:

We should also note that this is not the first time the Vatican has done an evaluation tour of the seminaries here (or elsewhere). The reason for the evaluation is to ensure that the seminaries are conforming to the requirements for priestly formation as spelled out in the various documents form Rome and, secondarily, to ensure that the appropriate psychological screening is taking place.

I will be interested to see how the evaluation team responds to the fact that very few seminaries even offer Latin, let alone require it.

Deacon Ed

Deacon Ed:

Although it is pre-theology, St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA requires 2 semesters of Latin and Kione Greek.

PF

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I have seen little effect of a similar evaluation in the 90’s. It doesn’t give me great hopes for this one.

While it is billed as a Vatican evaluation, I think the evaluators are U.S. Clergy, probably Bishops.

 

[buffalo]

Joe Kelley:

I have seen little effect of a similar evaluation in the 90’s. It doesn’t give me great hopes for this one.

While it is billed as a Vatican evaluation, I think the evaluators are U.S. Clergy, probably Bishops.

According to “Goodbye Goodmen” by Michael Rose the last inspection was scheduled with the seminaries and the seminaries were spruced up to look orthodox. We will see if the same ruse is pulled.

 

[flamingsword]

Joe Kelly

I have seen little effect of a similar evaluation in the 90’s. It doesn’t give me great hopes for this one.

While it is billed as a Vatican evaluation, I think the evaluators are U.S. Clergy, probably Bishops.

This is a completely different process this time around. These groups will go and live at the seminary for about a week and interview, everyone. All the seminarians and they should be talking with all the staff. The raw data this time will go right into the curia’s hands.

In the past the interviewers have been Catholic priests, bishops, and in the case of the sex scandal even former FBI agents. This time around from what I hear it will be people from the Vatican.

 

[flamingsword]

Michael Rose does not speak for all seminaries. Some probably should be worried, others are very faithful to the Church and don’t tolerate any BS.