Seminary in Jerusalem: Formation of Priests in Times of Suffering

A priest has highlighted that the greatest challenge faced by youth is the lack of faith in the possibility of building a meaningful life in their own homeland. An unstable political situation deprives them of a sense of influence over their future. "Uncertainty affects how they see themselves. They begin to wonder if their efforts are meaningful and if there is a place for them in the future of their own land," noted the rector of the Jerusalem seminary. In this difficult reality, the role of educators remains crucial. "Our responsibility is to help young people recognize injustice clearly while maintaining their ability to see the humanity in others," emphasized the cleric.

The rector also stressed that credible formation requires educators to have complete openness and to acknowledge their own limitations. Educators create a space for seminarians to experience pain and anger, showing that they do not have to hide their weaknesses. "The credibility of formation partially depends on this honesty: we cannot teach young people to accompany the sensitivity of others while hiding all our own sensitivity," pointed out the rector. He added that such an approach teaches future priests maturity and helps them better understand the suffering of the faithful.