The First Workshop for Newly-Appointed Formators

     The episcopal Commission for Clergy and Religious (President: Most Rev. Andreas Choi Chang-mou) held the first workshop for formators with the theme, "I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently"(Jer. 3,15) from January 25 to 30 at St. J. Hasang Education Center, Diocese of Daejeon. This workshop was aimed at 30 formators, who have less than three-year experience in seminaries. A formator means a priest in charge of guidance of spirituality and life, and teaching studies at seminaries.

     The Most Rev. Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Bishop of Daejeon, the Most Rev. Augustinus Kim Jong-soo, Auxiliary Bishop of Daejeon, the Most Rev. John Chrisostom Kwon Hyeok-ju, Bishop of Andong, the Most Rev. Basil Cho Kyu-man, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul and the Most Rev. Andreas Choi Chang-mou, Archbishop of Kwangju gave lectures in turn with Pastores Dabo Vobis. The participants reflected on what they learned every evening and shared their opinions on what they studied every morning during the workshop.

As making the strong point that priests play a very important role for the faithful to experience the invisible God, Bishop You urged the participants to have a sense of duty to educate seminarians. He also said that each formator leads seminarians to become good priests and this workshop gave the participants an opportunity to figure out the best way to teach the seminarians.