Catholic Sensibility

Importing seminarians: proceed at your own risk John Allen in The Word From Rome: "Many observers believe that the handwriting is on the wall for Krenn. In one sign of eroding support, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna said on Austrian television that the country's bishops have long warned Krenn that he should not accept seminary candidates rejected by other dioceses, but that he did not listen." Bishops who don't listen. I wonder what an American list of such bishops would look like. The serious side of this problem is people, perhaps including some bishops, who are convinced that quantity trumps quality as a sign of the general health of the priesthood. Bottom line, does anybody really agree with this line of thinking? I'm curious to see if the so-called John Paul II priests and bishops will have visible fruits other than numbers on their side. I'm not sure I would say that "successful" priests need to have big accomplishments on their resume either. Though a pastor who resurrects an inner city parish, or who successfully shepherds a merger, might be evidently top shelf material. Above these things, I think a most successful pastor is a guy who manages to attract lay people to do great things. I've seen parishes like that, and even been in one or two myself. But getting back to imports ... I can understand that a young guy might shovel himself a hole in one diocese for a few stupid reasons, but still be great ministry material. But a transfer directly into a seminary for another diocese is a bad idea. Almost as bad as living in a rectory for a year before shipping out. Better that a seminary reject work in the diocese for a few years. If in his twenties, he should be working at least three to five years before heading off to major seminary. In the meantime taking courses and perhaps serving as a hospital chaplain or school teacher or youth minister or such. If he has a job outside the Church (which might be the best way to go) he should be volunteering ten to twenty hours a week in the parish or in some ministry. That way, he could build experience, gain friends and colleagues among the laity and clergy, get a head start on his studies and gain the needed experience to temper youthfulness or to reform an initial misstep. Giving young people a second chance to work out their life's path is a valuable approach. But diluting the priesthood just to puff up one's episcopal ego is a bad way to go. It's bitten Krenn on the butt. Hopefully we don't see similar bite marks on some American bishops over it.