In a bid to address the problems of priestly formation in the Church, the National Association of Catholic Theology Students (NACATHS), Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan Chapter, organized a symposium on the 1^st of April, 2022. The symposium was titled “Priestly Formation in the Church in Nigeria: vis-à-vis the Church’s Mission and Priestly Identity”.

The symposium, which was moderated by Rev. Nnajiofor John Paul, had four speakers, who presented their papers. Bro. Jude Igbo O.F.M.Cap., spoke on “Human Formation and Priestly Morality in the Light of Present Human Psychology.” He remarked that it is the human person that is formed and as such the basic psychological needs of the person must be taken into consideration for an integral formation. Rev. Henry Chiwuba S.M.A., spoke on “Intellectual Formation and how it can be Effective in Combating Negative Ideologies that are Prevalent in the World.” Furthermore, Sule Emmanuel spoke on “Spiritual Formation of Priests vis-à-vis Liturgical Proficiency in Contemporary Worship”, wherein he lamented the problems of liturgical abuse and how conscientious spiritual formation can assist remedying the situation. Finally, Rev. Anyanwu Louis addressed the “Issues Facing Pastoral Formation,” during which he highlighted tips that will be useful in pastoral formation.

In his closing remark, the H.O.D. of the Theology Department of Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminar, Bodija, Ibadan, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Iyamah, said that the nuisance of present day formation is the inability to bridge the seeming gap between theory and practice. He, therefore, urged all to make conscious efforts to internalize and practice all they have heard