Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “In Asia and in other continents, there is a great need to give formation to future priests. Spiritual direction is an essential part of their preparation: this allows for better priests and pastors. Many of the problems that the Churches find with local clergy depend on the quality of the formation they received in the seminary,” Agenzia Fides was informed by Fr. Joselin Gonda, Spiritual Director of the Seminary in Lipa City, in south Manila (Philippines). Fr. Gonda was among the participants in the Course for Spiritual Directors organized in recent days at the Vatican, by the CIAM (International Center for Missionary Animation), in which 20 priests from missionary countries gathered to reflect on the methods of spiritual direction and formation in seminaries.
Fr. Gonda told Fides: “In the Philippines, as well, in an Asian country with a large Catholic majority, we have less vocations than 20 years ago. The Church, in reflecting on this situation, has seen that it is something that depends on the quality of the formation. Thus, there is a need for programs of spiritual direction with a higher quality for seminarians. In the formation, it is important that there is an openness to new issues and problems, human formation, family and cultural background, values, and psychology. The future priest should be prepared on a spiritual level, but he should also be capable of understanding the social, economic, and political realities.”
“As the smaller Churches, in regards to the formation of local clergy, we hope to receive a great support from the Church of Rome, especially in all that concerns the preparation of formators, counselors, Bishops, spiritual directors, administrators, so as to improve our ecclesial personnel. The Course organized by the CIAM has been very useful and fruitful for all the participants, as well as for the laity...it is very important that they receive specific formation, especially in the area of missionary activity.”
Another testimony Fides was obtained was that of Fr. Dominicus An Gyu-Do, of the Diocese of Incheon (Korea), Spiritual Director of the College linked to Incheon Catholic University. “The Course organized by CIAM has been very useful,” he said. “I felt encouraged in my work and I am happy to have been able to deepen in many themes and problems related to formation. I felt how the Mother Church truly watches after me and all the Spiritual Directors in seminaries. I have been able to learn many things on spiritual direction and the need for better preparation of those who play this delicate role.” Referring to the situation in Korea, Fr. Dominicus said: “Vocations in recent years have been fairly high. We should continue forward with the evangelization of the faithful, in order to increase the number of vocations. The programs for vocational discernment and spiritual direction seem useful, especially for the youth and seminarians. They need to be prepared in the spirit of the mission which, I think, needs to be re-launched in Korea. Candidates for the priesthood should be expected to offer an authentic commitment of their lives, with the faith, with Christ, and with the Church's mission.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
