BEIJING (Agenzia Fides): At the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, 37 seminarians graduated in theology at five seminaries in mainland China. Among the seminarians, 13 graduated from the National Seminary in Beijing, 12 from the Major Seminary of Hebei, seven from the Major Seminary of Jilin, three from the Major Seminary of Shaanxi and two from the Major Seminary of Sichuan.
In addition, seven seminarians received degrees in philosophy from the Philosophy Faculty of Beijing Seminary. Although there were no new graduates this academic year at Shanxi Major Seminary, central-southern China [formerly known as Wuchang Seminary], and Sheshan Seminary near Shanghai.
In recent years, in addition to the training of future priests, Chinese Catholic seminaries have also inaugurated theological and philosophical training courses open to nuns and lay people in order to encourage the involvement of all the people of God in the mission of the proclamation of the gospel.
At the end of the academic year, 30 nuns graduated from Beijing National Seminary, 13 nuns and four lay people graduated from Hebei Major Seminary, fie nuns from Shaanxi Seminary, three from the Theological and Philosophical Seminary of Jilin province.
Shenyang Seminary celebrated the graduation of 41 catechists after two years of academic training.
The skills acquired by the seminarians in philosophy and theology are evaluated through regular consultations. Philosophy courses cover both Chinese philosophy and Western philosophy. Local communities, under the direction of the bishop, offer spiritual and material support to seminarians during their formation.
Since 2015, the Chinese state has recognised the civil validity of the baccalaureate certificate issued by seminaries. It also allows those who wish to pursue studies in subjects related to pastoral ministry at state universities to enter the academic world. It should be noted that in China there are also other places of formation authorised by the bishops which provide training for priests, men and women religious.
