The Effect of Formation on Priestly Ministry amidst Contemporary Challenges in the Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya

This study investigated the effect of seminary formation on priestly ministry amidst contemporary challenges in the Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay, (CDHB), Kenya. Traditionally, the formation practice has been to train holy, intelligent, competent, pastorally engaged men who know how to continue the work of Christ of presenting the mystery of the Church in the world. The Seminary tradition leads one to the integration of prayer, work, study, and Christ-centered service to the Church. There is a special emphasis on the liturgical, spiritual, and community formation for all the seminarians. However, little effort has been placed on the effect of the current seminary formation concerning the life of priests amidst the contemporary challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to propose how formation could be improved to respond to contemporary challenges. The objectives of the study are; the effect of the Seminary Training program on the priestly ministry in the Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay, the nature of the ministerial life of priests amidst the contemporary challenges, and the model of ongoing formation that would make priests more effective amidst the contemporary challenges in the Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay. The study used both the quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data from respondents was collected through questionnaires and interview guides. The target population to which this study sought to generalize its findings was 70. However, a sample of 50 comprising of priests, formators, religious men and women, seminarians, and lay Christians was used for the study. The study employed the social identity theory to analyze the initial formation process of the candidates. It is hoped that the findings of the study provide some insights, regarding formation of future priests and the improvement of the quality ministerial life in the Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay and elsewhere.