Posted on 09/24/2004 9:30:15 AM PDT by sinkspur
Periodically, rumors circulate concerning a healing of the rupture between the Society of Pius X, the so-called "Lefebvrites" who are attached to the pre-Vatican II Tridentine rite of the Mass, and Rome. Typically those rumors are wildly misleading.
The Italian press has reported that the society is now suffering internal divisions, pointing to two Lefebvrite priests in Bordeaux, France, who have contested its direction. Some articles hinted at an internal crisis, suggesting, for example, that Lefebvrite seminarians might not come back after the summer break.
On Sept. 21, the Italian branch of the society issued a press release insisting that two disgruntled priests do not add up to a crisis. The release provided some interesting figures about the continuing growth of the Lefebvrite movement.
"Every year 15 to 30 priests are ordained for the society," it said. "In 2004, there were 17 new priests, a number that therefore reflects the annual average. Moreover, all seminarians came back to the seminaries after the summer period. The problem denounced by two priests of the Bordeaux priory is inexistent. It remains the case, however, that the number of vocations is a bit too low for the needs of the society."
"It's well known that not all the young men who enter the seminary arrive at the priesthood; the percentage of departures from the seminary in recent years is the same as during the 35 years of its existence, between 40 and 60 percent," the release stated.
"The apostolate of the Society of St. Pius X, moreover, is not limited to France, and certainly not to Bordeaux. Its 464 priests operate in all five continents and in more than 60 countries. There are seminaries in Switzerland (Econe), Germany, France, the United States, Argentina and Australia."
If 17 is the average, where did the 30 come from? It would seem that the average would be 22, which means that 17 is below average.
the percentage of departures from the seminary in recent years is the same as during the 35 years of its existence, between 40 and 60 percent," the release stated.
Seminaries lose over half their students every year? That's astounding. What does the SSPX do? Take in any warm body, then kick out the psychos?
If memory serves, before the 1960s, many seminarians washed-out or dropped-out. The priesthood isn't for everyone, nor should it be.
I was in seminary for six years, and a 20% drop-out/expulsion rate was considered high. And this was one of the most conservative seminaries in the country, at the time. But, it was very tough to get in, as the University of Dallas had very high admission standards.
15 to 30 would be the low and high numbers respectively. Can't calculate the average with knowing the specific number in each year and the number of years.
Seminaries lose over half their students every year? That's astounding. What does the SSPX do? Take in any warm body, then kick out the psychos?
In my opinion that's an encouraging statistic. It means they are discriminating. From what I understand, most US seminaries only discriminate against orthodox candidates and they will ordain just about anybody else.
The drop-out/expulsion rate means little - it is the number of solid priests ordained that matters. It has probably been the working of the Holy Spirit that insured we have had so few priests ordained in the US and other such countries in recent decades, given the state of the seminaries and the bishops who oversee them.</p>
So you seem to be saying it is a blessing? I can live with that. Even the trouble with some in SSPX may be a blessing. Before he died Archbishop Lafebvre was asked by his seminarians what he was praying for. He told them he prayed that all those who did not believe in what they were doing would leave the society. Perhaps he is still praying for this. Perhaps Christ is granting that prayer and the Holy Spirit is doing this good work. Better few but strong in faith than many and weak.
They're similar to the Marines, "We Need a Few Good Men".
The SSPX priests are occupying the void left by the Jesuits many years ago.
Yes, a blessing. When I see most of the priests ordained until just recently, I hate to think what it would be like if there had been even even more of them ordained.
The future lies with the orthodox priests being ordained in many dioceses these days. They will displace the Baby Boom priests. Less hostile to tradition, they will welcome traditionalists and traditionalism. What we have now will become an unpleasant memory.
It's Friday, and my usual pessimism is on hold for the weekend.
Seminary dropouts are nothing new or unique, I know several men now middle aged who washed out for various reasons as young men.
Its a pretty rigourous program, and its a time of discernment to determine whether or not the candidate has the right stuff.
I don't have any firm stats, but half the men dropping out just doesn't seem very extreme from what I understand of the experience, in fact a lower level would make me suspect of the school.
Hopefully one day the SSPX will also occupy the void left in Boston...
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=45685
....and Toledo and Detroit and Phoenix and......
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