SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES AND ADVANTAGES FOR THE FORMATION OF THE CANDIDATES TO PRIESTHOOD IN COLOMBIA

• Colombia is a nation that has lived very difficult circumstances during the last years. We have lived phenomenons of violence because of the confrontation of diverse groups (guerrilla, army, paramilitaries). This situation creates a climate of insecurity that affects the formation of the priests. Some of the students of our seminary have already experienced the consequences of the violence in their families.


• We don't have many financial resources. The seminary has to live on divine providence. This is a positive point for the formation of the candidates to priesthood. But also we must say that the people or institutions that help in this type of work are lesser every time. So, the future of the seminary is uncertain, but anyway we trust in God. He will continues to maintain his own work.


• Advantage: The religious and Catholic atmosphere of our town aid upon surging of the vocations. The Christian families teach their children the bases of the religion. The majority of Colombians profess the Catholic religion.


• This fact favors the pastoral work and the development of the vocations. Nevertheless, the influence of many ideologies also exists today (especially the New Age). These currents of thought attract people to religion but then create confusion. Many of the candidates arrive to the seminary with doctrinal and dogmatic errors.