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AMERICAN SEMINARIANS ON FORMATION EXPOSURE FIND INDIA EDUCATIONAL

Updated: March 20, 2001 05:00 PM GMT
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Seminarians from the United States said their "formation journey" to India deepened their sense of the universal Church and helped them understand India´s socio-religious complexity.

The tour "was an important formational experience," said Robert Roggenbuck, a first-year theology student of Mundelein Seminary in Illinois state who traveled in India with six fellow Mundelein seminarians.

Their visit to India Feb. 19-March 1 was organized with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the U.S. bishops´ international social service agency.

Roggenbuck told UCA News that most of what he saw "represented a true, respectful relationship between some great religions of the world."

Since the trip was centered on CRS´ work with the poor, it provided an opportunity to meet those in need and develop "a sense of solidarity with the poor and, therefore, with Christ," he said.

James Conlon, another seminarian, said that witnessing the Church at work among a vast majority of people who do not believe in Christ deepened his understanding of the universal Church. He added that he was made painfully aware of how blessed people in the West are in terms of material comfort.

He also said he found it disturbing that India exports food while so many of its people go hungry, and that it became a nuclear power at the cost of social infrastructure, education, welfare and health systems.

Roggenbuck noted a "delicate balance" between evangelization and respect for other religions in India. It is "a unique environment" that demands "our attention and prayer," he added.

He cited the need for priests to live in solidarity with the poor and the importance of interreligious cooperation and dialogue as among the things he learned from his experience.

Promotion of a just distribution system and the significance of Christian unity among people from all backgrounds are other lessons he said he learned.

Father Peter Iorio, a spiritual director at Mundelein Seminary who traveled with the students, told UCA News that many people in the developed world are unaware of problems in developing countries. Programs similar to his seminarians´ visit could be "a powerful weapon" to create awareness, he added.

James Connot, another seminarian, said the exposure will help him explain to people in his home diocese of Lansing, Michigan state, about problems in India.

Father John Geaney, a CRS official who accompanied the seminarians, said the tour enhanced their understanding of CRS´ role and involvement among the poor.

He said the "Global Fellows" program that sponsored the visit is aimed at helping U.S. priests and seminarians understand better CRS´ ministry.

Conlon said that despite religious fanaticism and other challenges in India, Christians are "very joyful" and have "a deep sense of faith." Indians, he added, also maintain "close family contacts that are often lost in the West."

Summing up the trip as "thrilling and educational," he said no book or film could adequately project India´s many dimensions. "All this has to be actually seen to be believed," he exclaimed.

The seminarians, who traveled mostly in northern and eastern states where CRS projects are underway, noted peoples´ warmth, respect and generosity.

END

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