Scottish Catholic Observer

No one can dispute the fact that we live in times where, as Christians and as Catholics, we need strong and inspiring priests, men of vision who will challenge threats to our religious beliefs and to the practise of our Faith according to those beliefs.

Our hierarchy lead the way but need a veritable army of priests, of spiritual leaders, to follow through, if the ills of our society are to be countered. And we are short of priests. As we pray for vocations to the priesthood, a new generation of seminarians are pursuing their studies. Will their preparation for the priesthood, for becoming spiritual leaders change to counter the changing world of the 21st century? Recent writings of Pope Benedict XVI would indicate change. There are those who hold the opinion that the new generation of priests will be more ‘traditional’ in outlook.

In this connection, it is interesting to study a publication produced by a seminary in the early 1990s. It gives an insight into the general philosophy and preparation of the students. There is emphasis on pastoral work, on social awareness and on tackling the ills of society. The qualities required in a spiritual leader are listed as ‘even tempered, self-controlled, modest, hospitable, temperate, gentle, uncontentious, a man of peace, not a lover of money, straightforward, truthful.’ Would that be an accurate list for today’s world?

Today a spiritual leader has to have the additional qualities of being politically aware, unafraid to speak his mind, strong enough to withstand criticism, to have the gift of empathy and insight… the list is frighteningly long. Central to it all is, of course, the love of God which heartens and inspires others.

In the publication, there is an emphasis on ‘outreach,’ a welcome extended to the laity to visit the seminary, to give support to the students. The writing carries a flavour of camaraderie among the students, tells of the enjoyment of shared hillwalking and outdoor pursuits. Studies such as Theology, Scripture and Moral Philosophy are mentioned. The reader is left with an impression of optimism, of a determination to help the Faithful, to combat the ills of society.

These seminarians were young men who had left a wide variety of occupations to study for the priesthood. Their preparation differed widely from the boys who entered the early Scottish seminaries at the age of 12, who were sheltered from outside influences, who were not allowed to see their parents until ordination. They, too, lived in a hostile world, a world fraught with danger… but danger of a different sort. There was a serious shortage of priests, Catholicism was proscribed, there was a critical need for fearless spiritual leaders.

In the mid 17th century, there were fewer than 20 priests to serve the needs of Scottish Catholics. Early in the 18th century, seminaries were founded, first at Morar, then Scalan and later at Aquhorties.

Preparation for the priesthood was arduous but thorough. Living conditions were austere. The curriculum encompassed Latin, Hebrew, Philosophy Theology, Scripture. There were fortnightly tests; senior students undertook oral disputations in Latin, their counterparts being their teachers. The students were encouraged to choose a recreation from a wide variety available… gardening, the writing of poetry, a study of science, organ building, boat building, music, including composition, the study of antiquities.

In short, they were prepared for the rigours of their priestly work by being self-sufficient, by being able to cope with loneliness, by being able to disregard distractions from their work as spiritual leaders.

Their mentors held the view that the priestly calling would set these young men apart from their fellow men but would require that they should inspire them. Their training and preparation was designed to arm them against the isolation they would sometimes endure, against the dangers of a hostile world. Their consequent success as spiritual leaders kept the faith alive, passed it on through the generations.

These students for the priesthood and the men who prepared them for it seemed to draw strength from the very adversity which threatened them. Of course we live in a different world today. Our spiritual leaders face danger of a different sort. Preparation for the priesthood has seen changes over the years, differences in emphasis. The priesthood itself remains unchanged. A true spiritual leader subsumes self into his priesthood for the good of others. Here, Pope John XXIII comes to mind. As Pope, he surveyed the trappings of his Papacy and said: “I John, am nothing…”

And to return to the start of this piece—what is meant by the view that there would seem to be an element of change to ‘traditional emphasis’ for seminarians? Does it mean the wearing of clerical clothes at all times, the removal of the invitation to address a priest by his Christian name, the conventions underpinning respect for the priesthood itself? Or is it more Liturgical in content?

The use of the word ‘traditional’ implies things of value being taken from the past and brought into use once again. That is a good thing. Mind you, I doubt whether we’ll return to the days when children were instructed to stand as the priest came into the room, and to sit down only when the priest was seated, this explained as a mark of respect for the priesthood. I was thus instructed and still find myself doing it.

Today, the shortage of priests means that, in many places, the parish priest is no longer able to be at the centre of things, clearly visible at the heart of the parish, readily available to his parishioners to give help and advice. And yet there are some who have responsibility for more than one parish, who gratefully accept the help of the laity and yet somehow manage to be there for the people when needed to help and guide them. Spiritual leaders? I think we all know the answer to that question.

- Writer Cath Doherty is a Church organist and a retired headteacher