A radical reform of the seven seminaries (four in the UK and three abroad) which could lead to the closure of some of them and a radical shake-up of the rest: this might be the road to follow after six months of exhaustive assessment of the formation of priests, conducted by a special commission set up by the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales. On behalf of the English bishops, the commission conducted its investigation into the seminaries between September 2001 and February 2002. The survey findings were then published in a long and detailed report presented to the bishops and discussed on 27 May. The main objective of this process of reform is that of “accompanying vocations to the priesthood” in “an appropriate way”. Two phases of work are envisaged: up till November the bishops will personally meet the staff of the seminaries and then, in the light of these meetings, formulate plans for the future. The Scottish Bishops’ Conference too has undertaken a comprehensive reform of the country’s seminaries.
