Formation for ministry does not end at ordination or the taking of vows; effective Church leadership requires continuing education throughout a person’s ministry, particularly as pastoral, theological, and administrative challenges evolve over time. Across East Africa, many priests, religious sisters and brothers, seminarians, catechists, and other Church leaders have limited access to structured opportunities for this kind of continuing formation.
Maryknoll supports ongoing education programs designed to strengthen the theological, pastoral, and professional skills of Church leaders throughout the region. These programs help experienced ministers stay current with pastoral best practices, deepen their theological understanding, and develop practical skills, ranging from counseling to administration, that make them more effective in responding to the needs of the communities they serve.
Continuing formation for clergy and religious reflects the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the Call to Family, Community, and Participation, recognizing that effective Church leadership must keep pace with the evolving pastoral needs of the communities it serves. This regional program also carries forward Maryknoll’s charism of strengthening the local Church across borders, investing in the leaders who will shape Catholic life throughout East Africa long after any single mission assignment ends.
Gifts to this project support continuing education for priests, religious, and catechists across East Africa, strengthening Church leadership and its capacity to serve local communities effectively over the long term.
