Posted on 09/27/2005 5:33:32 AM PDT by marshmallow
The 25 candidates studying to become priests at Aquinas Institute of Theology were described as "anxious" but not worried Monday as a Vatican team began evaluating how they are prepared intellectually, spiritually and sexually for priesthood.
"Whenever you are under the spotlight, it's difficult," the seminary's president, the Rev. Charles Bouchard, said at a press conference Monday. The students themselves were off limits to reporters, so it was Bouchard who was left to describe their mood.
The seminary on the campus of St. Louis University is in the spotlight because it's the first of 229 seminaries nationwide to be evaluated over the next nine months. The evaluations are in response to a sexual abuse scandal among clergy that began coming to light three years ago and revealed crimes and incidents that were covered up for decades.
The five-member team visiting Aquinas includes a seminary professor, campus chaplain, parish pastor and director of religious studies. It is led by Bishop Michael Burbidge of Philadelphia.
For four days, the team will meet with priesthood candidates, recently ordained graduates, faculty and staff. The team is armed with a questionnaire prepared by the Vatican.
Part of the unease stems from one of the document's dozens of questions: "Is there evidence of homosexuality in the seminary?"
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
I see that this is a 20 year old article ... Now I’m looking for results of this two-decades old visit ...
Because you have made that the center of your life.
I am sorry if people find that harsh but it is a reality.
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