Bordeaux Seminary Closes Due to Lack of Candidates

La Croix ^ | 5/21/19 | Gauthier Vaillant

[marshmallow]

Cardinal Ricard says decision to shut second seminary 'is not the end of the road'

Opened in 1901, St. Joseph's Seminary in Bordeaux will close from the start of the new academic year in September, Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard has announced.

"I did not come to this decision without some heartache but the good of the seminarians and concern for their formation need to come before any other consideration," said Cardinal Ricard, the archbishop of Bordeaux, in a May 18 statement, noting that only five new candidates were expected for September.

"That number will not allow us to offer these young men in formation a quality community life."

In 2017, the Diocese of Bordeaux launched a propadeutic year — a year of discernment — for young men to undertake before entering the seminary. Known as the "Simon Peter Pathway," the program offered weekends of discernment for men asking questions about their vocation.

Although it had been hoped that this would lead to further recruitment, the program failed to avert a closure that has been a long time in coming.

"The decision could have been taken in spring 2017 when for the second consecutive year we expected no new entries to the seminary," said the seminary's superior, Father Geoffroy Gardair.

In the end, the surprise arrival of several seminarians at the last minute provided a reprieve.

[faithhopecharity]

so sad, especially in light of how the entirety of the French people and nation have been sold out to the IslamoNazi invaders

[ClearCase_guy]

I’m picturing the Pope with a satisfied grin on his face.

[Oscar in Batangas]

We have seminaries in the Philippines that are so full of young men that another five would hardly be noticed.

Get them student visas and ship them over.

[nwrep]

Europe has been “post-Christian” for a long time. The untethering of faith from values which began with the Age of Enlightenment accelerated after WW1 and the “conversion” is now complete.

[dfwgator]

You mean, Western Europe.

[nwrep]

No, I mean all of Europe. It is true that Eastern Europe is not as hostile to Christianity as Western Europe, and it is more culturally Christian, but all in all, it is also post-Christian. Poland is an exception.

[dfwgator]

And unfortunately they are even under attack in Poland, I fear the younger generations are being fed the same crap.

[nwrep]

Yes. I predict they will be corrupted by W. European culture and become as anti-Christian in a generation or so..

[dfwgator]

Yes. I predict they will be corrupted by W. European culture and become as anti-Christian in a generation or so..

I'm not so sure of that.

[Biggirl]

I doubt it myself.

[faithhopecharity]

i see.
well,the very fact that their government has allowed/invited/enabled the Islamic invasion...and continues it no matter how much anti-French or anti-Christian violence ...
is a terribly sad spectacle to have to witness

very very sad

[pbear8]

Many French candidates are in seminaries which belong to Latin Mass orders, you might be surprised. I know French priests with 5, 10, and even 12 siblings.

[pke]

The minute you stop challenging men and women with the Cross of Christ and adopt the the politically correct ways of the world instead with its meaningless rhetoric and causes you will not have vocations. It is the radical call to all those things foreign to this world: chastity, humility, and selfless love that draw followers to Christ not the self absorbed ways of the world. Pope Francis take note.

[faithhopecharity]

thanks, so glad they have some!