The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is initiating a major change in the way it will train its future priests. For many years, Saint Charles Seminary has been a massive presence in Wynnewood and hundreds of priests have been trained there. However, the seminary buildings are much too large for the number of seminarians now enrolled. There is no realistic expectation that we will have again 500 or more seminarians who would fill the buildings.

The seminary property has been sold and the seminary program will move to the campus of Gwynedd Mercy University. Even though this change is in large measure an economic response to declining enrollment, in my opinion, training seminarians on the campus of a Catholic co-educational college is a better way of preparing future priests. The seminarians will have a positive impact on the Catholic identity of the university and the seminarians will regularly associate with typical college and graduate students each day. 

It is necessary for the Archdiocese to build new buildings to accommodate this change. Archbishop Perez has initiated a capital campaign to fund the transition, including the building project. Soon a seminarian will come to speak at Saint John’s on behalf of this campaign (the date is not yet set). There are pledge/offering envelopes in each pew. 

Our seminary also trains lay leaders and future deacons. Investing in Saint Charles Seminary, soon to move to Gwynedd Mercy, is an investment in the Future of the Church in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.