I'm a young person training for the priesthood - ask me anything!

[sparklydust]

As the title says

[ParisNext]

Did you literally feel yourself called to your profession as people describe?

[sparklydust]

paris that's a tough one as everyone has a different sense of 'calling' per see.

For me, it was very much other people seeing things within me to start with and then subtle signs began coming my way in the form of words, strangers, objects etc... to many IMO to be just coincidence.

[TheIsland]

Where are you training (general location)? Is it in your sponsoring Diocese?

[Temporaryusername94]

What do you think about sex abuse in the church? I am about to speak to the police to back up a historic child abuse case. Mr own vicar and his wife knew of at least two of his victims and did nothing. Do you think more female priests will change the church's culture on this subject?

[sparklydust]

theisland yes, I'm training within my diocese

temporary well let me just say first of all, of course I am against abuse in the church. It's not okay but I know it does happen. Then again, it can also be said for schools also. It's awful but can happen anywhere and in any place.

I'm so sorry your going through that

[Fluffybat]

Church of England?

[sparklydust]

fluffybat no, the Church in Wales

[SPOFS]

Are you male or female?

[sparklydust]

spofs I'm female

[TheIsland]

How long did it take you to get to BAP? Do you think the selection process is mainly still set up for evangelical, introverted white middle class single men? or is that just my diocese

[sparklydust]

Theisland might sound stupid here but what is BAP? Perhaps it's something named differently in my diocese!

To be honest, I found my selection very liberating and diverse so no I wouldn't say so. However, there are obviously some who are very, shall we say, 'traditional' in their ways...

[NicoAndTheNiners]

Have you always been religious? Are your parents religious? What did they say when you told them? Can priests in the church of wales marry and have kids?

[Coco2891]

Are / were your parents religious ? Or have you picked it up as an adult?

What's your take on dinosaurs ?

What's your take on most of Christian festivals being originally pagan ?

Not being funny just never been able to ask

[NicoAndTheNiners]

Is the selection process hard? Do people get turned down?

[Coco2891]

Would religions like this still exist in 2018 if it weren't for indoctrination?

[sparklydust]

nico no I've not always been religious, my parents are now religious but didn't used to be as far as I know, they were very proud when I told them and pleased for me and yes, you can marry and have children in the CiW unless you choose voluntary celibacy.

Yes, the selection process is extremely hard. There are two in my province. A diocesan one and then a provincial one - normally 6 months to a year apart. That's not to mention the years leading up to the first selection which you spend training and sometimes even placements. Then it's usually 3 years from provincial until your ordained a deacon. Plus a theology course of at least 2 years (up to six if you want the degree). The selection itself is a full day with 4 interviews for the first one and 3 days with 8 interviews, group exercises and daily observations for the second.

Coco

I picked it up at the age of 18.

Ha! So sorry but your second question made me giggle erm... I'm not sure to be honest. They could have existed and they might not have done. I'm not sure! I'm neither a creationist nor an evolutionist - I simply take the stance that I do not know and don't have all the answers. I do often ponder why the flying ones aren't still around like the water ones apparently are (or at least their close relatives). Plus, if they were wiped out why only the land ones? I do also think it's possible that the word dinosaur was simply a different creature to what we imagine them to be today. Who knows

In terms of the festivals, I don't have an issue with it. I think it's great to tweak things that can't be celebrated to something good that can be

Finally, yes I think religions would still exist today. Most people pine for something missing in life no matter how happy they are, I believe that pining is usually for God who is said to have placed that on our hearts in the first place which would explain why so many people with good lives feel unfulfilled.

[TheIsland]

BAP - bishops advisory panel. It’s the big selection conference where you either get selected/or don’t to train.

[Coco2891]

Thanks for replying ,

There is proof of dinosaurs tho so I think that's a difficult one to question .

And some would say the church ripped off pagan festivals -that were indeed celebrated -and tweaked them to suit a more masculine 'godly' religion

What colour skin do you think Jesus had ?

Sorry I could literally go on for hours but have kids to bath and get to bed -and I'm not taking the kids just asking what I'd ask given the chance in person

[Coco2891]

Not taking the piss *

[MessyBun247]

Dinosaurs did exist though. They really did. Have you ever heard of fossils?

[Coco2891]

What were you like before you 'found god'?

[sparklydust]

Theisland ahh yes, that's called provincial selection here...

Coco yes I believe there is evidence but I don't think people can believe everything science says (although I do believe most of it). We can't possibly 1000% know something without being present IMO. Just like my faith. It's just that, faith.

In regards to the festivals, you may well be right! Who knows but I do love Christmas so I'm not complaining

As for Jesus' skin tone, I can't say without a doubt but if I had to guess I'd imagine he had darker skin, eyes and hair due to the region he was born in (and as not to stand out which scripturally speaking, he tried to avoid).

Before I found God I was a train wreck if I'm being honest. I still have my moments but having such a hope there and meaning to life helps me through. I'm much more grounded, moral and generally a nicer person. Does that mean I'm perfect? Absolutely not! And I still have tons of fun and have a great love of wine

Messy yes I've heard of fossils but IMO you can't date something like that back without a shadow of a doubt. I'm not saying they did exist or they didn't, I'm saying I don't know. Those bones/fossils could have been elephants or another creature of the time for all we know. That's not me being religious, I've just always thought it possible as well as not possible

[Coco2891]

Ok last one ☝️

Why do Adam and Eve have bellybuttons in all depictions of them I've ever seen?

[sparklydust]

Coco no honestly, ask away although I can't promise to hold all the answers! And I love how deep your questions are, you sound very much like me, always questioning the small things that no one else notices! Ha! To answer your question, I would guess because that's all humans know and can understand. Humans are relational and rational, if that's what we've always seen it makes sense we would draw something similar.

[Coco2891]

Have you ever seen that clip of Stephen Fry when asked what he would say to God if he met him?