Bishop José Manuel Lorca Planes inaugurates new course at diocesan theological study centers

Bishop José Manuel Lorca Planes presided over an Eucharist and academic ceremony to inaugurate the new academic year at the diocesan theological study centers. The opening ceremony included the Instituto Teológico San Fulgencio, the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Religiosas San Fulgencio, and the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Religiosas San Dámaso at its distance learning site in Murcia.

During his homily, Bishop Lorca stated that the purpose of training for priests, religious, and laypeople is to prepare them for the mission of announcing the Gospel. He noted that the Church requires well-trained evangelizers who are also deeply devoted to Christ. He encouraged students to ensure their studies lead to a deeper prayer life and a personal encounter with Christ rather than just gaining knowledge in theology, philosophy, or scripture.