Honiara (Fides Service) - 50 young participants, all called to celibate religious life attended a Seminar cum workshop on Celibacy at Holy Name of Mary Seminary, Tenaru. The programme organised and facilitated by the seminary staff was held for five days from 4th to 8th October, 2004. Implementing what has been suggested at the Meeting for Rectors of Oceania Diocesan Seminaries, Fr. Frank Vargas cm, Rector of the Seminary is immensely pleased with the outcome.
“The participants have responded very well and have learnt much for themselves. It is very healthy and good for the church and hopefully they can be of support to each other as they strive to live out their commitment”. The participants were young men and women coming for the whole of Solomon Islands - 27 seminarians, 9 Anglican Franciscan Brothers, 7 Sisters of the Church (Anglican); 2 Daughters of Mary Immaculate sisters; 2 Dominican brothers, 2 Dominican sisters and 1 Missionary Sister of the Society of Mary.
“It’s the first time that people in Solomon Island have gathered together to share their thoughts, feeling and experiences on consecrated Life. Sharing personal difficulties, cultural understanding and human experiences has given them a better insight into their lives and their call to serve Christ”, stated Fr. Marek Owsiak cm, professor at the Seminary.
The topics highlighted: ‘Priesthood and Religious life as Vocations to Celibacy, Sexual development, sexual maturity and sexual identity; Failures of the Ideal; Self-love, self-denial and self-transcendence and Celibacy as a Way of Life. The document of the church: Sacerdotalis Coelibatus, Pastores Dabo Vobis and Vita Consecrata were also dealt with.
The Seminar was lively and interactive as participants discussed case studies and presented their findings. “I have been helped to know a little bit more about myself and others”, stated Br Luke Mani, a Franciscan brother, while Br. Vincent Ora, a Dominican bother stated that he was happy to discover new things that will help in his religious and consecrated life.
“I have been touched by the openness of their sharings. The process enables them to be in touch with and be healed of a lot of their past”, stated Sr. Louise Runne, Lecturer at the Holy Name of Mary Seminary. “It is my hope that a Seminar on celibacy and dealing with it from different angles will be held each year” concluded Fr. Frank Vargas cm. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2004 righe 27 parole 272)