Continuum and Priestly Education

Here is an article I came across originally on the Continuum blog. It raises a number of important questions i think and I would like to address some of them.

One of the things that is brought to the table is the question of accreditation something I have often felt conflicted about. Who is a secular institution to offer Ecclesiastical accreditation, its not that I don't see the benefit however as my Latin friend points out to me it was originally the Pope who offered the highest accreditation the followed the King and the King's was only good within his own realm where as the Popes was universal. (This yet again is another reason why we need a Patriarch.). But I do see the benefit of seeking secular accreditation, however my concern is putting too much emphasis on it.

One option that I did not see mentioned in the article that i think would be very helpful would be a combination between online education and institutional formation. Creating a Seminary which combines online courses (Beacon University M. Div., St. Joseph’s College of Maine Masters of Pastoral Theology program that covers scripture, theology, and pastoral care. are two recommended by name) and regular formation. The basic consept would be to gather seminarians in one location providing them with intellectual formation through the online courses and then providing spiritual and pastoral training through communal prayer, and courses in Spirituality.

My concern is that too much emphasis is focused on the intellectual formation of seminarians (we must also be careful not to make the opposite mistake). I think by implementing the online training (structured specifically with Metaphysics first, instead of students taking classes in random order), it can be ordered so that students can focus on their education first and may not necessarily need to attend the institutional formation house fully until their 2nd or 3rd year. They could spend summer secessions being free to work the rest of the year. Then in their 2nd or 3rd year they would be able to attend the formation house.

Of wives.

One thing i think that is ignorned is the education and formation of wives of Priests. there could also be set in place special formation for the wives including particular development of their vocational spirituality.

don't know this is all a work in progress in my mind.