As the sixth rector of Vianney College, I am indebted to my  predecessor of late, Bishop William Brennan, who founded this seminary back in 1992. Bishop Brennan’s vision of establishing a rural seminary was to train men for the diocese of Wagga Wagga. In reaching its thirtieth year Vianney College has welcomed a number of men from a diversity of different cultures and backgrounds from  local, within state, interstate and overseas students. Many have  become ordained for our own diocese, and others for their home diocese. 

Vianney College is a campus of the Catholic Institute of Sydney (CIS) which is also in partnership of Notre Dame Australia. Thanks to this crucial partnership, our seminarians studies have the benefit of receiving both civil and pontifical recognition.  

Through our efforts in human, pastoral, spiritual and intellectual formation, we hope to serve the people of God in the countryside through our work of forming clergy with a heart for serving the faithful in rural Australia.

As in all seminaries, the seminarian of Vianney College follows a rule of life, to help in building up their character for the good of themselves and their community.

 I would like to see that the formation these men will receive over the years will help to prepare them to serve Christ’s faithful with a genuine love and desire in bringing souls to Him. It is in the working of the Holy Spirit who is our primary  formator, who wants to conform our lives to Christ through the unseen power of His grace.

I pray and hope that I can bear witness to His living grace by the example I show in willing the good of my neighbour for the good of His Church.  And in the words of our patron saint John Marie Vianney:”All that we do without offering it to God is wasted.”

We thank our benefactors both materially and spiritually and all who support the life and work in our seminary.

 Welcome to the website and to the family of Vianney College!