PRIESTLY FORMATION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THROUGH THE CENTURIES WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON INDIA
Keywords:
Council of Trent, Gregorian Reformation, Indian Church, Priestly Formation, Post-Conciliar Priestly Formation, Protestant Reformation, Vatican Council IIAbstract
Priestly formation is a major concern of the Catholic Church and efforts have been made to form well-qualified ministers of Christ. Schools of Alexandria, Antioch, Nisibis and Edessa were the earlier initiatives for the holistic training of the clergy. Charles the Great took keen interest in the training of the ministers of the Word of God. Episcopal and Cathedral Schools are attempts in the direction of better training for the clergy. Gregorian Reformation focussed more on liberating the clergy from the clutches of Feudal evils and to concentrate more on the salvation of the souls. Protestant Reformation awakened the need for proper training for the ministers of the Lord and the Seminary system was introduced in the Church by the Council of Trent in a more systematic way. Second Vatican Council through its teachings focussed more on the spiritual, intellectual, human and social formation of the future clergy. PostSynodal teachings and the efforts of the Indian Church in contextualising the priestly formation is praiseworthy.
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