In a first for the country, Vietnamese bishops have approved a common formation program for all seven major seminaries in the country. “We are very happy that the national priestly formation program has been approved by local bishops,” said Fr Joseph Do Manh Hung, secretary general of the Vietnam Bishops´ Episcopal Commission for Clergy and Seminarians, UCA News reports.
Fr Hung headed a 10-member team that spent five years working on the program. He presented it to the bishops at their April 5-9 meeting at Bai Dau Marian Shrine in the southern coastal city of Vung Tau.
“We hope that the integrated program emphasizing human values, spirituality, knowledge and ministry will help the seven major seminaries produce high-quality priests to meet the pastoral needs of the local Church,” said Fr Hung, who teaches at St. Joseph Major Seminary in Ho Chi Minh City.
Under the new program, all major seminaries would be required to offer formation for pre-seminary, seminary and post-seminary students.
A four-year study period, including one year of living at a diocesan house, is required before students enter the major seminary. Thereafter, students undergo an eight-year program which includes studies in philosophy and theology.
They then spend one year doing pastoral work in parishes before they are ordained.
They are also required to attend courses run by their own dioceses during their first five years as priests.
Presently, 1,349 students from the country’s 26 dioceses are studying in the country’s seven major seminaries.
During their recent meeting, the bishops also planned to set up in the future an institute of advanced theology.
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