Following an extensive review process, the Diocese of Buffalo has selected St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore – the first Roman Catholic seminary in the United States – for the academic and spiritual formation program for its seminarians, beginning in fall 2020.
“St. Mary’s Seminary, operated by the Society of the Priests of St. Sulpice, has a longstanding reputation for excellence in formation and academic programs,” said Vincentian Father Kevin G. Creagh, current president rector of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, N.Y. “We are confident that the four dimensions of priestly formation – spiritual, human, intellectual and pastoral – are embedded in the St. Mary’s Seminary culture and our seminarians will be formed as servant leaders for the Diocese of Buffalo.”
In February, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo, announced the decision to cease operations of Christ the King Seminary at the conclusion of the current academic year, as approved by its board of trustees.
The diocese has 15 seminarians in various stages of formation. Four diocesan seminarians, along with two seminarians of the Diocese of Ogdensburg and one seminarian of the Diocese of Syracuse, will remain at the Christ the King Seminary campus for the final year of their formation and academic studies.
“We are grateful for the confidence Buffalo’s decision expresses in our formation program,” said Sulpician Father Phillip J. Brown, president-rector of St. Mary’s Seminary and University.
