| |
By KIM MULFORD
Courier-Post Staff
Charles Colozzi endured eight years of school, parish living and volunteer work to answer God's call.
The 28-year-old Merchantville native joined the Catholic priesthood on May 25. Call him Father Chuck.
It's a tough time to be a priest, but Colozzi is ready.
"There's good work to be done here," Colozzi said. "Now, more than ever, we need to be a light to the world."
The church has spent a lot of time and money making sure Colozzi is well prepared to serve. It also spent a lot of effort making sure he is the right man for the job.
Though desperate for priests, the church turns away many more applicants than it accepts. In the Diocese of Camden, that's the work of the Rev. Joseph Szolack, director of vocations for the last three years. He conducts the opening interview, where most weeding is done.
The heart may be willing, but a criminal record, heavy debt, scandalous lifestyle or unorthodox views can cut the journey short.
Prospective applicants can spend up to a year "getting to know" the local church leaders, and that's before the application process begins. Then, they must answer 12 pages of questions, and pass nine psychological tests and a full medical screening, including an HIV test.
The bishop makes the final decision, but before then, applicants are interviewed extensively. They must provide three letters of recommendation, transcripts and even pass a background check conducted by a private investigator.
Szolack added that last step as another precaution.
"It's gotten ever tighter," said Szolack.
That's for good reason. The church has been under a public relations nightmare the last few months, since allegations of sexual abuse against priests have led headlines. But even in recent years, the church has become increasingly careful with its selection of men.
Szolack compares seminary life to the military. The tougher, more restrictive the program, the better the men. The church wants men who would make good husbands and fathers; men who love God and family life, men with strong leadership skills and the physical ability to lead a demanding life.
"You can see it as a job or you can see it as a father to a family," said Colozzi.
The life of a priest is deeply fulfilling and spiritual when it is lived as intended, the men said. At ordination, Catholics believe the hands of priests are transformed so they can do God's work, forgive sins, perform sacraments and the actions of Christ.
As the church maintains, priesthood and celibacy don't cause men to sin. Trouble arises when priests pretend they are not priests.
"I don't know what happens," said Szolack. "Is there an illness prior or did someone get away from the Lord?"
A priest must be faithful to his vows 24 hours a day, seven days a week, said Szolack. Recent controversy has caused him to examine his own life.
"It's made me look and say, `Am I the best I can be?'" Szolack said. "It reminds us we have to totally rely on Jesus."
Colozzi, who will be assigned to Holy Family Parish in Sewell, has some concerns about entering the priesthood at this time.
"It's tough to put it into words," he said. "Anxiety. How are people going to receive me?" In the past few months, however, parishioners have been affirming their priests more than ever, he said.
"It's as if certain people are coming forward in their faith," Colozzi said. "If the church is under attack, it's time for those who love their faith to profess it."
The sins of a few shouldn't keep people from maintaining a relationship with God, he said.
"We all need salvation," Colozzi said. "The fact that there's some sinfulness going on shouldn't deter people from seeking their own salvation."
Kim Mulford writes about issues of faith. Call her at (856) 845-6521. E-mail her at kmulford@courierpostonline.com.
