The incessant determination to elevate the standard of seminary formation continues to be the preoccupation of the Rectors of the various Catholic Seminaries and Houses of Formation all over the world. This is, however, not alien to their state as Rectors. For, as the new Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis states, they are priests distinguished by prudence, wisdom and balance, and are highly competent persons who coordinate the educational endeavour in the governance of the Seminary. The Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul was indeed privileged to host clergymen of such calibre, from all over West Africa, as they converged for their Regional Episcopal Conference from the 5th – 9th of March, 2018.

The RECOWA/CERAO Conference began with the arrival of the various participants all over West Africa on the 5th of March, and their allocation to the various apartments reserved for them. With the Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit the conference was declared opened. The Mass was presided over by His Grace, Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, during which the participants were recognized and the goal of their meeting emphasized. The session, which started in earnest, had the arrival of the Bishop of Otukpo Diocese and the Chairman of RECOWA/CERAO, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Apochi, on the 7th of March, 2018. The 4-day conference was replete with various interactive sessions and submission of annual reports on formation programmes. These submissions were formally collated into the form of a communiqué. The meeting also had the election of new RECOWA/CERAO officers. Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Ewelu, Rector of Pope John Paul II Major Seminary, Awka emerged as President; Very Rev. Fr. Francis Adesina, Rector of Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan emerged as Vice President; while Rev. Fr. Habila Daboh, Rector of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna emerged the Secretary of the RECOWA/CERAO conference. At the eve of their departure, the seminary community hosted the participants of the RECOWA/CERAO conference at an entertaining and refreshing session where various presentations were made to ease the Rectors of the stress that they might have accumulated after a long period of meetings; a gesture that was greatly appreciated. Finally, after the celebration of the Holy Mass which concluded the Conference, the Rector of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Albert Ikpenga, on behalf of the Rectors, read out the communiqué which emphasized the importance of psychology in seminary formation and the need for psychologists in the formation team of every seminary.