Fr Kampan Chinnam –
Kohima, Nagaland: In a spirit of renewal and commitment, the Northeast India Formators of Diocesan seminaries convened at the serene Mount Tabor Retreat Centre from October 21 to 23 for their biennial meeting. Under the inspiring theme “Continuity of Formation at Different Stages,” these dedicated formators united to confront the educational challenges faced in the priestly formation process.
Emeritus Bishop John Thomas Kattrukudiyil, in his powerful keynote address, shed light on a critical issue: the inadequate academic preparation of many individuals entering seminaries. He highlighted that a significant number of candidates hail from rural backgrounds and have been let down by ineffective school systems. Despite holding a class X certificate, many struggle with fundamental skills, often reflecting an education level that barely surpasses primary school.
Bishop Kattrukudiyil poignantly remarked, “Some priests and religious even struggle with simple arithmetic operations of additions and subtractions and writing even three-digit numbers.” This stark reality underscores the necessity for formators to recognize these gaps before initiating the formation process, as neglecting this can lead to disappointing outcomes for many candidates.
The bishop emphasized that without a solid educational foundation, candidates are ill-equipped to grasp complex concepts encountered in philosophy and theology. This lack of preparation poses significant challenges in their future ministries, where they will interact with educated congregations and manage the Church’s substantial assets.
To address these challenges, Bishop John Thomas passionately advocated for remedial education at the onset of formation. He has taken proactive steps by developing a series of textbooks titled the “Skilling” series, which includes resources in Maths, Social Studies, and General Science. These materials aim to elevate candidates’ educational levels to match their peers from well-functioning schools.
The seminar participants wholeheartedly endorsed the bishop’s vision to revitalize early formation programs by integrating remedial education for candidates from underperforming schools. Each diocese will tailor its approach, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all strategy may not be effective across the diverse landscape of Northeast India.
During this enriching gathering, rectors exchanged valuable insights on various challenges they face in their roles. A collective commitment emerged to periodically reassess and refine the formation program to ensure it meets evolving educational needs.
The meeting culminated in a moving Holy Mass at the iconic Cathedral of Kohima, reinforcing the shared mission of fostering a brighter future for priestly formation in Northeast India.