Abp O'Brien thought the visitation was "most successful"? Successful at what? Sweeping everything under the rug?

(Don't get me wrong, I like the abp.)
Meg Q | Homepage | 05.30.06 - 8:12 pm | #

I don't think we will hear much negative criticism of the seminaries. They had almost three years to prepare. If they couldn't get themselve in order for an inspection in that time, then they need to be closed for incompetence and inefficiency, if not for heterodoxy and dissent.

Fr. Philip, OP
Fr. Philip, OP | Homepage | 05.30.06 - 8:37 pm | #

One seminary had a rector resign days after the visitation left. Coincidence? I think sucsessful meant they got a good idea about what was going on. I don't think Rome will just ignore the results. Maybe I'm naive, but I think they got it right this time.
Donato | Homepage | 05.30.06 - 9:05 pm | #

I'm skeptical that the visitations saw or will report the truth.
I think things are on the upswing, but I really don't think this will affect any of the bad seminaries.
Just my two cents.
CaesarMagnus | 05.30.06 - 11:22 pm | #

I agree with you Donato. I was in the seminary during that last visitation, in the 80's, and this one was handled in an entirely different manner - confidentiality was respected and hard questions were asked. I think a good picture of the seminaries was garnered, and I think improvements will be made - though, in truth, most seminaries are already better now than they were back then, some notably so.

Archbishop Miller, the secretary of the Congregation for Education, is a keen man, with a good eye and unwavering orthodoxy. He's not going to allow this to be a mere whitewash, nor will he allow the reports to become dead letters. I expect each seminary to be given a list of corrections to be made, a timeline, and a follow up visit if things aren't handled properly.

The reporting mechanism of this visitation is key - the visitors gave their report to the Congregation, rather than directly to the seminary. The Congregation will report to the diocesan bishop (or ecclesiastical superior in a religious house). Making the bishop responsible for implementing the corrections takes it out of the hands of career seminary formation personnel.

Considering also that few seminaries these days can afford to cater to students from their diocese alone, it's in the best interest of seminaries to gain a reputation for solidly orthodox teaching and healthy, heterosexual environments - that's what will bring in outside dioceses.
Tim Ferguson | 05.31.06 - 12:39 am | #

well noted, Tim.
AmericanPapist | Homepage | 05.31.06 - 4:29 am | #