October 01, 2005

Seminary is target of church inspections

UNITED STATES
Statesman Journal

BY OMIE DRAWHORN
Special to the Statesman Journal

October 1, 2005

The Roman Catholic Church has ordered an inspection of the 229 seminaries in the United States, and according to a soon-to-be-released Vatican document, it may result in the ban of gay seminarians from the priesthood.

The Mount Angel Seminary is among those labeled for review in the document, which should be released within the next six weeks.

The specifics of the review at Mount Angel Seminary have yet to be determined, Seminary Rector Richard Paperini said.

"The Vatican has scheduled a team to visit in January," Paperini said. "Every faculty member and seminarian will be interviewed. I'm sure it's a good thing. Everyone likes to think they have a good school; a review is a good way to see where you're at."

He said the review would focus on chastity.

Posted by kshaw at October 1, 2005 08:47 AM