AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - BISHOPS REFLECT ON FORMATION OF PRIESTS AND YOUTH IN GENERAL

Tuesday, 3 June 2003

Maputo (Fides Service) - The formation of priests and commitment for the development of the country through the Catholic University of Mozambique was the main theme of a meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Mozambique held in Maputo in late April. The meeting was important since it was the first since the installation of the new Archbishop of Maputo, Mgr Francisco Chimoio appointed by the Pope on 22 February 2003 to succeed Cardinal Alexandre Jose Maria dos Santos who resigned.
According to a report sent to Fides Service by the Bishops’ Conference, during the meeting the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Juliusz Janusz, thanked the Conference for the support and collaboration received from everyone and encouraged the Bishops to continue along the path of cooperation with the state for the good of the people, the growth of the Church and the nation. Archbishop Janusz underlined the importance of the formation of diocesan clergy.
In this regard, the meeting highlighted the necessity not only to have a sufficient number of seminaries in which to train the students but also to appoint as directors of these structures people adequately prepared for the formation of priests.
The Bishops voiced commitment for the opening of the new Saint Athanasius Seminary in order to relieve Maputo seminary of over-crowding. This will ensure that students receive more individual care. Every diocese was asked to choose a few of its priests with the best preparation to form a seminary formation team. The bishops also emphasised the need to encourage the future priests to strive for in-depth priestly spirituality, focussed on celibacy and chastity.
The Mozambican Church’s commitment to formation extends also to the university world The Catholic University of Mozambique, opened in 1996 (see Fides 10 January 2003) is beginning to produce its first fruits. In particular, the Bishops underline, “the first graduates in Economy and Agricultural Studies have begun to serve the nation”.
The Catholic college will soon open faculties in Sociology and Political Sciences, Theology and Philosophy and Engineering.
The Bishops hope that the best university students will become professors so as to strengthen the teaching and research corps for the progress of the country. LM (Fides Service 3/6/2003 EM lines 34 Words: 374)


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