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10 - The Tridentine Proposal for the Formation of the Clergy

The Seminaries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 October 2023

By
Simona Negruzzo
Edited by
Nelson H. Minnich
Nelson H. Minnich
Affiliation:
Catholic University of America, Washington DC
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Summary

On July 15, 1563, the bishops gathered in Trent unanimously approved the decree Cum adolescentium aetas that recommended the erection of a seminary in each diocese. It was a provision of epochal significance that endowed the Church with an instrument for the care of vocations to the ordained priesthood, according to the pastoral ideal of cura animarum. For the first time, referring to previous experiences and responding to the challenges raised by Protestants, a council laid the foundations for the creation of a specific educational institution for the spiritual, intellectual, and human preparation of its pastors. The Tridentine decree on priestly formation influenced, according to different rhythms, all the territories of the Roman Church. In many dioceses the institution took off only after decades (centuries, in some cases) of unsuccessful attempts, but certainly the decree of the twenty-third session had suggested a stable and uniform model of ecclesiastical formation, partly perfectible and adaptable, but now essential.

Keywords

Clergyecclesiastical formationseminariesCouncil of Trentreform
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Companion to the Council of Trent , pp. 209 - 224
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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