Finding the right Bishop…
And free-agent priests.
Did you know that in the recent past candidates for the priesthood who were otherwise rejected from their respective diocesan seminaries could look, and find, Bishops willing to sponsor them to ordination? (I know a few - very good men, all of them. The only reason they had been rejected seems to be they were either too traditional for the local seminary, or a bit odd.) The newly ordained priest would subsequently be obligated to commit a certain length of time of service in the sponsor-Bishop’s particular diocese. After that, the priest might be free to move on to seek incardination in another diocese if he chose to do so - or to become something of a free agent. Men ordained in monasteries or for religious communities could also ask for ex-claustration in order to live independently. Many times these men sought incardination in dioceses of their choice - after they left religious life and found a Bishop willing to accept them of course. Some become hospital chaplains or teach at universities.
This post isn’t about anyone in particular - so I am not writing about you.
May 6th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
THAT IS A GREAT PICTURE! I love your paintings!!!!!!!!
May 6th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Another reason men were dismissed from seminaries is one we would not see today… too many priests! It was not unheard of that for whole classes were dismissed because the bishop had no need of them. It happened in Boston more than once.
May 6th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Little Freak:
“Thus have I had thee, as a dream doth flatter / In sleep a king, but waking no such matter.”
Thank you, but the painting is actually a Botero.
May 6th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Father - that is amazing - actually turning away vocations.