“This major inter-diocesan seminary is the result of a journey undertaken by the dioceses of Bragança-Miranda, Lamego, Guarda, and Viseu dating back to 1992. It is the first seminary of its kind in Portugal and will be established in Braga. When we speak of a major seminary, we refer to the initial training of priests, which is later complemented by intellectual training at the Catholic University,” stated Nuno Almeida, the bishop of Bragança-Miranda diocese, host of this initiative.
The announcement took place at the Casa de Acolhimento of the Trappist Monastery of Santa Maria Mãe da Igreja in Palaçoulo, Miranda do Douro, in the district of Bragança, bringing together the bishops of these four northern and central dioceses, which encompass over 742,000 residents.
The Transmontano prelate further mentioned that today the statutes were presented that provide solid and juridical, canonical, and civil strength to this first major inter-diocesan seminary in the country.
“The four dioceses involved in creating this first inter-diocesan seminary will share responsibility for training their seminarians. (…) It is indeed a new experience,” said Nuno Almeida.
The diocesan bishop added that this new inter-diocesan seminary offers reasons for hope in revitalizing vocational pastoral work because the seminarians attending this place bring new experiences to their dioceses.
“There are very concrete challenges facing vocational pastoral work today within the church, such as the digital world, which currently confronts both families and the dioceses themselves,” emphasized the prelate.
Each academic year, the São José diocesan major seminary in Braga will be overseen by one of the bishops of the four dioceses involved in this new project.
“The statutes of the new seminary foresee shared responsibility, regardless of whether each diocese has students in formation in this new space. There will also be a priest part of the teaching component, led by a rector. Each bishop will each year serve as a kind of moderator in these functions,” highlighted Nuno Almeida.
Father António Almeida, the rector of the São José inter-diocesan seminary in Braga, stated that practically speaking, the novelty of this process is the recognition by the Holy See (Vatican) to proceed with the formative process for future priests.
“There is a priestly communion between the four dioceses. We have important Church documents to comply with in this formative process of future priests. The significant new aspect of this process is that the communities come to know that there is a formative unit for the priesthood, certified and supervised by the Holy See,” he emphasized.
Until now, there have been one or more seminaries per diocese, and with the union of these four dioceses, there will be an inter-diocesan seminary that does not limit itself but is open to other dioceses in the country, always under the guidance and supervision of the Vatican.
