Theological Education in Madagascar

With gratitude for eight theological students from the Diocese of Mahajanga.

I had the great privilege of meeting the eight theological students from the Diocese of Mahajanga who are presently studying at St. Patrick's Theological College in Toliara. One of the promises I had made at my consecration was to ‘guard the faith once for all delivered to the Saints’. I believe one of the primary ways that the Bishop does this, is by ensuring that theological students are being taught the right things in the right way.

It was wonderful to hear about St. Patrick’s Theological College from these eight young students studying there. Amongst the subjects which they are learning at college are theology, doctrine, the 39 articles, the Bible - in its original languages Hebrew and Greek, preaching, etc. I was very pleased with the classical nature of the curriculum and of the arduous expectation on each of the students to give themselves to serious study. “Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth!”

Those students who are training to be priests must obtain a baccalaureate degree before they can begin their priestly study at St. Patrick’s. Their program of study is three years long and includes summer placements in parishes. Those training to be evangelists’ study for two years, after which they are commissioned and send out into the diocese to support parishes or, in some cases, go into rural villages where the gospel has never yet been preached.

These young men and women are full of evangelical zeal and they have a deep desire to serve the Lord faithfully. The youngest of them is 21 years old and the oldest of them is 33 years old - which is remarkably encouraging for the longevity of the leadership in the diocese. Some students are married with children, but most presently are single. As I get to know these students, my intend is to share their individual stories with you.

In my experience, parishes flourish when the priest understands his role his responsibility before God and before his church. It is my hope and desire to invest in these young ordinands and evangelists-in-training so that they can have fruitful lifelong ministries in the church. In my meeting with the students, they asked, very humbly, for three things. First that I might help them have a computer each- presently there are two laptop computers between the eight students. They must share them in order to research and to write their papers. They asked for Greek New Testaments and Hebrew Old Testaments – presently there is one of each text for the whole student body. They asked if they might have the privilege to learn English. These are not outrageous requests, in fact, they’re very reasonable.

Rev’d. Berthier and I have spoken several times about the course of study, their parish placements, and the practical issues of being a theological student. In each of these conversations I have been encouraged by what I have heard. The college is thoroughly theologically orthodox and pragmatically effective.

I told the students I would pray about their requests and get back to them. I have determined that the full cost of the three-year program for the ordinands including their tuition, housing, travel, books, food, and a computer is around $3,500US. This amount will essentially pay for the full education of a priest!! It would be wonderful if individuals or parishes could sponsor a student, and raise a third of the funds each year! If the Lord lays on your heart to help a student financially, please send me a message.

As always, please pray, pray, pray for me, and for my theological students – that everything we need the Lord will provide!