Phoenix Diocese asks parishioners to support seminarians' education

Published: 2005-07-13

PHOENIX (CNS) -- As the number of priestly vocations has increased in the Phoenix Diocese, so has the cost of educating them. To help offset the cost, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted has authorized an annual collection. The diocese ordained one priest, Father Patrick Farley, this year, but currently there are more than 20 seminarians in the Phoenix Diocese, including a handful who are in the final stages of the application process. Because the average cost to educate, feed and shelter each seminarian is roughly $24,000 a year, Bishop Olmsted said turning to parishioners for financial support was necessary. "We have the best of all possible problems: much greater seminary costs because of a good increase in the number of new seminarians this year," said Bishop Olmsted. "I wish I had more problems like this."

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .