Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “ We have many vocations, including to the religious life, both masculine and feminine. In relation to the formation of diocesan priests, we have decided to improve resources by creating provincial seminaries that can welcome candidates from all over a certain area. Among our main concerns is that of guaranteeing a formation that is spiritual and theological as well as social, keeping in mind the particular situation in our country,” Fr. Otu Andrew Adeiza of St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Makurdi (central Nigeria), told Fides. Fr. Otu is one of the participants in the Course for Spiritual Directors organized in recent days, at the Vatican, and sponsored by CIAM (the International Center for Missionary Animation), which was attended by about 20 priests from missionary countries, in order to reflect more deeply on the means of spiritual direction and formation for seminarians.
“Nigeria is a country were the dominant religions are Christianity and Islam,” Fr. Andrew mentioned. “Among the Christians, the majority are Catholic or Anglican. Ecumenical and interreligious dialogue play an important role. Christians have recently published joint statements on national issues, addressing all Nigerians in a single voice. Dialogue with the Muslims continues, although always with the problems of radical groups and the use of the Sharia (Islamic law) for political ends. In my diocese, the relationship between the various religions is very good, also because there are families in which various members are of different religions. The Catholic Church is very respected by all Nigerians, especially for her firm position in defense of life in all its forms.”
Theophilus Anyanwu, of the Provincial Seminary of Enugu (southern Nigeria) says: “We have between 50-60 seminarians. We try to instill the missionary dimension in them. We have seen positive results. Our diocese has sent priests on missions in Nigeria, as well as in Africa, Europe, Asia, and America.” “The Catholic Church is very appreciated in Africa, as many times it is the only concrete point of reference amidst the dramatic crisis that affect many nations on our continent.”
Fr. Peter Mwangi Mathu, Spiritual Director of the Mother of Apostles Seminary in Eldoret (Kenya), tells Fides how during the dramatic days of violence in Kenya in January-February of this past year, his seminary “gave refuge to over 200 people.” “As an educator and member of the Church, I feel the responsibility to promote peace and reconciliation, beginning with people's spirit. The Catholic Church of Kenya is actively working to avoid a reprisal of the violence of recent months,” Fr. Peter said. His own family was forced to live in a refugee camp for several months. In the area, there are over 300,000 internal refugees.
Fr. Thaddeus Kasmir Mattowo, Spiritual Direcotr of the St. Charles Lwanga Senior Seminary in Dar el Salaam (Tanzania), describes the path taken by a young man on the way to the priesthood: “We have 96 students in our seminary. We offer them a complete formation program, not only theological and spiritual, but also on culture in general, because not all the students will become priests. Our educational program has three years of philosophy and four of theology, plus a year of pastoral experience. Several of the students are sent to Rome to complete their formation in Pontifical Universities.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 3/12/2008)
