With a record-high number of seminarians, the Diocese of Phoenix has dedicated more funds to support the formation of the Arizona diocese’s future priests.
There are 40 men studying to become priests in the Diocese of Phoenix, according to the Catholic Sun. That is the highest number of seminarians in diocesan history, and double the number of seminarians the diocese had eight years ago.
The formation costs of seminarians are often met through private donations. However, the diocese has allocated an additional $4 million from an ongoing fundraising campaign to support the education and living expenses of future priests.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
Bishop Olmsted ought to be our next Pope! He is a gift to the Diocese of Phoenix! He also loves our sacred Catholic Tradition– and loves the old Latin Tridentine Mass, along with the Novus Ordo Mass! He really seeks to shepherd his flocks well, and lead them all to Christ!
Cardinal Sarah
Praise God. Faithful shepherds foster this: bishop Olmsted, Fr. Lankeit rector of the Phoenix cathedral, and other priests openly faithful in teaching, guiding, and sanctifying, and not shackled by a leadership with an agenda that conforms to the world, rather for the salvation of souls. This is what inspires young men to go to do the same. May this spread to all the dioceses in the United States and the world.
This is the positive result of returning to Catholic orthodoxy and getting away from liturgical silliness. No, LifeTeen (founded in Phoenix but corporately independent of the diocese) has nothing to do with this rise in seminarians. It’s all the result of Bishop Olmsted’s priorities for the faith in his diocese. If you build reverent liturgy and orthodox doctrine, the seminarians will come. Let this be a lesson to all bishops, especially those in California.
I would love to see the Diocese of Phoenix get rid of Life Teen! It’s in many of the parishes including mine. Considering the founding of Life Teen in our diocese, the intent (put a separation between child and parent) and the history of the now former wicked founding priest I really question Bishop Olmsted’s allowance of Life Teen.
The intent of LifeTeen is NOT to separate children and parents, as one reader stated. Let’s at least be honest and charitable regarding one another, especially our fellow Catholics. Anyone interested in LifeTeen can find out more at lifeteen.com. And, yes, the former priest founder is a scoundrel who is long gone. Apparently, some people have had bad experiences with LifeTeen while other families, like ours, have had very good experiences, including involving our teens in Adoration and Marian prayer. Don’t take my word for it, check it our yourself. And, of course, it varies parish to parish depending upon the people who are implementing the program.
What was the original purpose of the fund raising campaign from which the $4 mill was ‘allocated’?
Come back in five to ten years to see how many are ordained.
mike m., the original article in the “Catholic Sun,” the Phoenix Diocese’ newspaper— as reported by the Catholic News Agency (CNA– affiliated with the National Catholic Register– now owned by EWTN)– is that it costs $40,000 per year, to educate a seminarian. You might want to read the original article, for more information. These are also good seminarians– I am sure that all will be ordained! A very good Diocese, with a very good Bishop!
of course they have vocations there….it is the FRUIT of a holy Bishop.
mike m., the original article in the “Catholic Sun,” the Phoenix Diocese’ newspaper— as reported by the Catholic News Agency (CNA– affiliated with the National Catholic Register– now owned by EWTN)– is that it costs $40,000 per year, to educate a seminarian. You might want to read the original article, for more information. These are also good seminarians– I am sure that all will be ordained! A very good Diocese, with a very good Bishop!
This is great to hear, but not surprising, with the caliber of a bishop like Bishop Olmsted.
(And, the comment about LifeTeen seems unnecessary. The LifeTeen program my then-teens attended was excellent and was a profoundly positive influence on their lives. I was asked to lead their ParentLife program for the parents of teens. Both were solidly orthodox, no dissent. Anyone can check out their curriculum for herself.)