Formation of priests must be approached with humility, says bishop

Published: 2005-03-10

DENVER (CNS) -- In an address to a gathering on spirituality and priestly formation, Bishop David L. Ricken of Cheyenne, Wyo., reflected on the counsel once given to a college seminarian. It seems the seminarian was getting perhaps a little too puffed up with the whole idea of being a priest. His uncle -- who was already a priest -- reminded him of the biblical story in which God told Samson that he could use the jawbone of an ass to defeat an entire army. And Samson did. The uncle continued: "Now just think, Roy. If God can do that with the jawbone of an ass, what can he do with the whole thing?" Once the laughter subsided, the bishop noted that a priest in his diocese is an exceptionally good preacher, often showered with praise. The bishop said the priest's response is: "Thank Jesus. I'm just the donkey he rides in on." Bishop Ricken reflected that the formation of priests must be approached with great humility. His remarks were part of the fourth annual "Symposium on the Spirituality and Identity of the Diocesan Priest," held March 3-6. It was sponsored by the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Neb., and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.

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