Is it hard to become a priest?

Answer 1

It's not a case of simply 'wanting to become a priest' - one has to feel called by God to that position. I cannot speak for the Roman Catholic Church, but as an Anglican who is currently training for priesthood, perhaps I can give you first hand experience. I had embryonic callings throughout my life from my teenage years, but it was only in my early 50s when I realised that I could not say 'no' to God any more. The first move was to chat to the diocesan vocations adviser who goes through your feelings, what others say about you and so on and decides if there is sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation. If so, you then go to the diocesan director of ordinands (DDO) who interviews you over several occasions. I believe I had around 5-6 hour-long interviews with him where we explored the calling and, then we prepared for the bishop's adviser (BA) interviews. Within these meetings he also advises you on the forms you need to complete. The main one, including your life history, history of calling, journey of faith, your beliefs etc in my case was 14 pages long of close-typed 10pt Times New Roman. There were two BA interviews of around 2 hours each, and they make the decision, after putting you under the microscope, of whether or not to recommend to your bishop that he sponsor you for 'selection'. After the bishop's adviser interviews, if they decide it is a 'yes' then you have an interview with the bishop who will give the final 'yes' or 'no' for selection, based on your calling and personal qualities necessary for priesthood. You then go for a 'Bishop's Advisory Panel' - a three day meeting where you will have interviews with three skilled and experienced advisers, you will do team exercise like giving a presentation on a topic, leading discussions, and writing pastoral letters. After the panel is finished, they will advise 'yes' or 'no' for selection as to whether or not to recommend you for training. The bishop then lets you know the outcome, and, if yes, the DDO then arranges for training etc at the place of your choice. Full time training for those already graduates (in any subject) is 2 years, part-time is three years. If training is completed satisfactorily, you are ordained deacon at the end of the training period. Training consists of practical study and theological study. After this, there is a further year of training 'on the job' after which you are ordained priest and a further two or three years after this where you are deemed a 'training curate' after which you then move to your first parish as vicar. So, the short answer to your question "http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_it_hard_to_become_a_priest"is that it is not 'hard' but it can take a long time. from meeting the diocesan vocations adviser to when I started training took me a year, with three more before ordination to deacon - and a further year for ordination to priest. However, for some, the process from initial meetings to the start of training could take much longer.

Answer 2

Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, founded the Catholic religion to save ALL people, and to bring them to heaven. It follows that it is the simplest thing in the world, as even children and idiots can manage it. This, however, does not mean it is easy, it is never easy to live up to the best version of yourself, and that is what God expects of you.