Seminarians Should Know History, Latin and Greek, Says Pope

Candidates to the priesthood need a sound formation in historical-ecclesiastical disciplines and a solid knowledge of Latin and Greek, says John Paul II.

"The revelation of God to men occurred in space and time. This is why we count the years of our history starting from the birth of Christ," the Pope wrote in the message.

"The foundation of the Church, through which He willed to transmit, after the Resurrection and Ascension, the fruit of Redemption to humanity, is also an historical event. (...) Therefore, the history of the Church is an opportune place to draw from, in order to know better the very truth of the faith," the Pontiff continued.

In regard to the study of history, the Holy Father stressed that "a solid knowledge of Latin and Greek is absolutely indispensable, without which access to the sources of the ecclesiastical tradition is precluded."

Article here.