Austrian church reports full numbers in seminaries, despite scandal

Published: 2004-09-22

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- Austria's Catholic Church has reported full admissions to its seminaries, despite fears of a decline after a sex scandal in the Sankt Polten diocesan seminary. "The high level of seminary education in Austria is well regarded by public opinion," said Erich Leitenberger, spokesman for the Austrian bishops' conference. "Sankt Polten was the big exception -- there's no reason to think its problems will affect other seminaries here." In mid-September, 28 new students prepared to begin studies at Austria's diocesan seminaries, bringing to 114 the total training for the priesthood nationwide.

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