CIS Contributes to the Annual Conference of Diocesan Seminaries in Vietnam
“Homosexuality From a Scientific and Faith Perspective in Priestly Formation in Vietnam.”
August 5-8, 2024
“In relation to persons with homosexual tendencies who seek admission to Seminary, or discover such a situation in the course of formation, consistent with her own Magisterium …” (Ratio, No. 199)(*).
Recalling the introduction to Nos. 199, 200, and 201 of Ratio to highlight the Church’s particular concerns about homosexuality in the formation of priests today. There is an increasingly discussed reality within the Vietnamese Church, which significantly impacts many areas of life including religious life, priesthood and the vocations in general. To better understand these issues, the 2024 Annual Conference of Diocesan Seminaries in Vietnam was held at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Nha Trang from August 5- 8, 2024, with the theme: “Homosexuality From a Scientific and Faith Perspective in Priestly Formation in Vietnam.”
This year’s conference brought together nearly 60 formators, including Bishop Joseph Đỗ Quang Khang, President of the Priestly Formation Committee; Father Joseph Phạm Văn Trọng, Secretary of the Priestly Formation Committee; as well as directors, vice-directors, and faculty members from 11 diocesan seminaries across dioceses in Vietnam.
On the first day of the conference, the assembly gathered for Mass and orientation. On the second and third days, the assembly listened, studied and discuss questions related to 6 presentation topics. The first three topics were presented by the CIS Director, two psychologists and a law collaborating all with CIS:
- Topic 1: Rewriting the Life Story. By Dr. Nguyễn Minh Tiến
- Topic 2: Homosexuality and the Vocation to Religious Life. By Dr. Teresa Nguyễn Lan Hải
- Topic 3: Accompaniment – Conditions, Advantages and Challenges. By Father Dominic Nguyễn Đức Hạnh, SJ, CIS Director
- Topic 4: Sexual Diversity. By Dr. Maria Huỳnh Đoàn Phương Trúc
- Topic 5: Male Homosexuality From a Gender Medicine Perspective. By Dr. Trần Phương Thảo
- Topic 6: My Journey – Beyond Conflict to Fulfillment. By Mr. Thạc sĩ Dương Trần Minh Đoàn
On the afternoon of the third day, the entire conference evaluated the work and summarized the results achieved over the past few days.
(*) Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis – 2016