New crop of seminarians favor Catholic traditions

CWN - April 13, 2012

While the Catholic Church is often the focus of criticism in the mass media, Anne Hendershoot and Christopher White report in the Wall Street Journal on a phenomenon that has received far less attention: the rising tide of young men preparing for the priesthood in dioceses that have preserved strong Catholic traditions. These young men, they write, “are attracted to the philosophy, the art, the literature and the theology that make Catholicism countercultural.”

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Show 4 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: impossible - Apr. 15, 2012 11:15 PM ET USA

    Now that's hope and change we can really believe in. Thanks be to God.

  • Posted by: AgnesDay - Apr. 14, 2012 1:04 PM ET USA

    @Defender, maybe the seminarians can give continuing education sessions to the bishops. Just sayin'.

  • Posted by: jimgrum697380 - Apr. 14, 2012 8:38 AM ET USA

    There is a great need for priests- holy priests- who understand their mission as the Church, and ultimately Her founder, has understood it. The recent Holy Thursday liturgy reminds us of this essential mission. This is one reason the tremendous abuse crisis is so fundamentally disturbing. It goes to the very heart of what is absolutely "unpriestly" or incompatible with the priesthood. There is no longer "Self" but the opposite- a truly selfless servant of Christ and of his Church.

  • Posted by: Defender - Apr. 13, 2012 4:04 PM ET USA

    The irony, of course, is that some of the most liberal bishops/cardinals will ordain these seminarians - is there a way to shorten the time they have to spend in seminary?

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