By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh
The Pastoral Agent Department of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), under the directorship of Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Okochi, has scheduled a leadership seminar/workshop for all Rectors of seminary and Directors of formation in religious institutes in Nigeria. The laudable programme will hold from 14 – 17 July, 2025 at the CSN Resource Centre in the CSN compound, Abuja. In this exclusive interview with Fr. Okochi, he reveals what inspired the programme, the anticipated outcome, and the eminent personalities who will address the esteemed participants at the seminar.
CSN Media: What is the programme about?
Fr. Okochi: It is a capacity-building programme aimed at equipping Seminary Rectors and Directors of Formation in Religious Congregations with some creative administrative skills and deeper understanding required to promote effective formation in the highly dynamic world of today.
CSN Media: What are some key pastoral issues regarding the formation of seminarians today that this workshop hopes to address?
i. Strengthening Communication Skills: The young people of today need to be communicated to in a different way; there is the need to foster a more open and constructive communication with seminarians and aspirants, with the academic staff, and indeed all formators. The challenges posed by the social media are also of grave concern to seminary and religious formators and will be addressed by this seminar.
ii. Team building and management: The formation environment is in serious need of team building and management skills including conflict resolution and mentorship, crucial for creating a supportive and collaborative formation.
iii. Promoting a Culture of Accountability: To instill the importance of accountability in formators; they must be exemplary in financial accountability: budgeting, resource allocation etc. Those being formed bust be exposed to what is going on so they can replicate same in the pastoral field.
iv. Emotional Intelligence: Formators of future priests and religious need to be trained to develop the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use their own emotions, as well as to recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of other people. This seminar is going to address emotional intelligence in formation environments.
CSN Media: In what ways can this seminar strengthen collaboration between formation of seminarians in dioceses and religious institutes?
Fr. Okochi:
i. This seminar brings formators from both branches of the church together to share experiences and identify areas of collaboration. The products of seminaries and religious houses of formation function in the same pastoral field.
ii. This seminar allows participants to benefit from both perspectives (religious and diocesan), gaining a broader understanding of the Church’s diverse ministries, spiritualities, and charisms. This can lead to more adaptable and well-rounded formation of future priests and religious.
iii. Similar issues (such as consumerism, secularism, shifting cultural landscapes, budgetary strains, and emotional maturity) affect both diocesan and religious formation. Working together during this seminar enables the creation of best practices, joint reflection, and strategic planning.
CSN Media: Who are some special guests expected at the event, and what unique contributions are they bringing?
Fr. Okochi: Some of the special guests include:
i. The Papal Nuncio, His Excellency Michael Francis Crotty: He brings his wealth of experience in formation, leadership and administration. All participants will surely find great inspiration and direction from his words of wisdom, counsel, and paternal encouragement.
ii. Lady Theodora Innih: She is expected to speak to the formators from the perspective of the laity. She will present the expectations of the laity from the seminary and religious formators for a more fruitful apostolate and better collaboration in the pastoral field.