By Fr. John Adamski

Next week three young men from north Georgia will be starting their college careers in a seminary. Over the past several months these men have been actively considering the purpose of their own lives, what they hope to accomplish and the possibility of priesthood and the seminary. They’ve certainly prayed and consulted with many other people. Now they are taking another big step – starting at a college seminary.

It’s a significant decision, but ordinarily not a very controversial one. Recently however, the purpose and function of seminaries have been generating a good bit of public discussion. Apparently it all started in the July issue of the “Homiletic and Pastoral Review” a monthly magazine for priests. Father Kenneth Baker, editor of the magazine, wrote of his own disillusionment with seminaries today. This position was reported in the August 2^nd issue of the Georgia Bulletin. Father Baker expanded his critique by suggesting that it might be preferable to have pastors themselves train candidates for priesthood, something which was a rather common practice in the church before the Council of Trent.

The issue has been joined by Monsignor Robert E. Bacher, executive director of priestly information of the U.S. Catholic Conference. In his defense of seminaries today Monsignor Bacher pointed out that the bishop’s committee has found that “seminaries are working hard to implement the principles of Vatican II.”

My own reaction to all this and to the question of the value of seminary education are many. I happen to be a rather firm believer in seminaries today especially when no viable alternative is presented.

I believe in seminaries both because of my own personal seminary experience as a student and most recently as a vocation director visiting other seminaries. I entered the seminary in 1958 at the age of thirteen. Vatican II hadn’t been thought of at that point. Seminary formation still followed rather traditional forms. My 12 years in a seminary setting: high school, college and theology were years of important growth and development in my life. At every state of the process there were several priests who were, for me, outstanding examples of what the priesthood meant. They were constant sources of inspiration for me.

Much of who I am as a priest and a man comes from the encouragement and dedication of those seminary faculty members. In addition to the faculty, the seminary setting places one in a peer situation with others who are working through the same questions about their own lives. The friendship and support of many other people are another integral part of this whole process.

In the past two years, I have been fortunate enough to travel to several seminaries where Atlanta men are currently studying and meeting more qualified, dedicated seminary men. They are working hard to provide the kind of education/formation which the church is seeking today for her candidates for the priesthood. Obviously, not every seminary is perfect, but many are genuinely doing their best for the sake of today’s church.

My belief in seminaries is also strengthened by the growth which I see taking place in many of our own seminarians. The program, faculty and resources of the seminary setup have helped many to significantly develop as mature, responsible, spiritual men. Obviously, not every student decides to go on to the priesthood, but generally the seminary has helped him to make a decision which is both honest and sensible.

I doubt that many pastors in the Atlanta area would be willing to assume the complete responsibility for training a young man in preparation for the priesthood. Most are genuinely too busy with the work of their parishes to be able to spend the time to remain completely up-to-date with theology and priestly formation. However, today’s student does have access to the experience and wisdom of today’s generation of priests. Many of our seminarians have spent the past weeks of summer living and working in a parish setting. Without exception, each one has found it to be a valuable growth experience that helps him learn about himself, ministry and the church today. This summer experience along with seminary pastoral programs helps insure the practicality and viability of today’s seminary training.

I’m glad I went to a seminary. I would not be a priest today without those years of seminary formation. I’m confident that our three new students will find the same valuable opportunities for growth as they enter the seminary. Perhaps all of us can share in these opportunities by our prayers for them and our encouragement for others to consider the same step.