The Church must improve how it promotes vocations to the priesthood, says the chairman of the Regional Seminary Board.

“Vocations must become a concern for all of us. We must build a culture of vocations,” said Archbishop Robert Rivas. “We must pray for vocations but help people answer the call. All of us here have a responsibility. If we take it seriously, we will reap benefits. I don’t think God is going to leave us where we are.”

Archbishop Rivas, of the Archdiocese of Castries, St Lucia, was the homilist at the September 9 concelebrated Mass to formally open the Regional Seminary’s 2008-2009 academic year.

Chief celebrant was president of the Antilles Episcopal Conference of Catholic bishops, Archbishop Donald Reece of Kingston, Jamaica. Archbishop Edward Gilbert, Bishop Francis Alleyne of Georgetown, Guyana, Bishop Gabriel Malzaire of Roseau, Dominica, Bishop Wilhelmus de Bekker of Paramaribo, Suriname, Bishop Robert Kurtz of Hamilton-in-Bermuda and Bishop Emmanuel Lafont of Cayenne, French Guiana were the other prelates in attendance. Local clergy also concelebrated.

Seminary rector Msgr Michael Stewart and Fr Matthew D’Hereaux process out the Seminary chapel at the end of the Mass to open the new academic year. Raymond Syms photo

Archbishop Rivas said he believed the Caribbean Church had a problem recruiting priests because “we let vocations just happen.” Some archdioceses and dioceses had no vocations director or programmes, he said, adding that Catholic youth seemed to also be disconnected from the concepts of mission, vocations, or making a sacrifice. “Their faces go blank when it comes to considering the priesthood” he remarked.

Priests and seminarians must therefore work on modelling the priesthood to the wider Church, Archbishop Rivas said. “We need priests. Seminarians need to be more involved in being role models for other young men discerning a vocation, through service, simplicity of life and missionary zeal. Our seminarians can make a big difference,” he added.

Families should play a greater part in recruitment and vocational discernment, Archbishop Rivas continued, as “vocations need to be nurtured in the home. Parents need to let their children know that the priesthood is a blessing to the family, and the Church.”
 
Archbishop Rivas commented that the harvest was great but the labourers were few, noting there were just ten seminarians for this academic year, the fewest since 1993. He said: “It will affect life in the Seminary with regard to house-keeping and building community. But by the grace of God, wonderful things can happen.”

Explaining that the projected deficit for the year was around US$100,000, Archbishop Rivas said “times of crisis – times of opportunity.” He said there was already newness at the Seminary as he welcomed new rector Msgr Michael Stewart of the diocese of Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Archbishop Rivas, who worked with Msgr Stewart while bishop of Kingstown, said “Fr Mike” wanted to be “a shepherd, leader, father and friend” to seminarians. He added: “I know this man is going to do an excellent job. Pray for him because he has a challenging task ahead.”

The Trinidad-born archbishop also mentioned other changes and positive developments at the Seminary, including that it has received full accreditation as an education institute. This project was overseen by Dean of Studies, Fr Eddie Birmingham SJ.

Former spiritual director Fr Hugh Joyeau has been appointed parish priest of St John’s parish, St Augustine, allowing Msgr Urban Peschier and Fr Rudy Mohammed to operate as a team of spiritual directors.

Archbishop Rivas described the Seminary as the heartbeat of the Church and therefore part of his pastoral concern: “As Church we cannot leave the Seminary to struggle on its own. As Church we must say ‘yes’ and give all our support to the Seminary.”

After the homily, two seminarians were conferred ministries. Bishop Alleyne presided over the conferring of the ministry of lector on Terence Pyle, who is from his Georgetown diocese. Bishop Malzaire then conferred the ministry of acolyte on his diocese’s seminarian, Conan Shillingford.

Msgr Stewart, vice-rector Fr Robert Llanos and Fr Birmingham then read a profession of faith, followed by a collective profession by other staff members. Archbishop Reece thanked the teaching faculty for their commitment and dedication to the Seminary.

A sharing in the Seminary dining room followed the Mass, with many congratulating the new rector.
- RS