Pope Francis: Priests are not meant to walk alone

Pope with participants in the plenary assembly. Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis met with participants in the Dicastery for the Clergy Plenary Assembly on Thursday morning, focusing on three main aspects: formation, vocations, and the permanent diaconate.

The Pope emphasized the importance of priests living within a network of fraternal relationships because "we are not meant to journey alone", and expressed his gratitude for the generosity with which the majority of priests work, in the face of many difficulties.

The Pope warmly greeted the participants in the audience, taking the opportunity to express his gratitude to priests and deacons worldwide. He said: "I have often warned against the risks of clericalism and spiritual worldliness, but I am well aware that the vast majority of priests devote themselves with great generosity and faith to the good of the holy People of God, bearing the burden of many labors and sometimes facing challenging pastoral and spiritual difficulties."

Starting with the central issue of formation, Pope Francis stressed that this must be ongoing, especially in a constantly changing world like the one we live in today. "We are called to consolidate, strengthen, and develop what we have learned in the seminary," he said, "as part of a path that helps us mature, grow spiritually, find suitable languages for evangelization, and go deeper into what we need in order to adequately address the new issues of our time."

Pope Francis said the issue of the loneliness experienced by many priests is of fundamental concern. "This journey is not meant to be made alone," he said, noting that many priests lack the "lifeline" represented by a "sense of belonging."

"Weaving a strong network of fraternal relationships is a priority task of ongoing formation … it is essential that priests feel 'at home.' You, as a Dicastery, have already begun to weave a worldwide network: I urge you to do everything possible to ensure that this continues and bears fruit around the world."

The decline in vocations to the priestly and consecrated life is "one of the great challenges for the People of God," the Pope said. He added that the crisis also affects vocations to marriage. For this reason, he explained, his recent messages for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations has broadened the focus "to include all Christian vocations," particularly the "fundamental vocation of discipleship" that unites all baptized individuals.

"We cannot resign ourselves to the fact that for many young people, the prospect of a radical offer of life has disappeared from the horizon. Instead, we must reflect together and remain attentive to the signs of the Spirit, and you can carry out this task through the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations. I invite you to reactivate this reality with methods suited to our times."

Finally Pope Francis addressed the third theme of the Plenary: the permanent diaconate, whose "specific identity" is often questioned today.

The Pope invited participants to contribute to the ongoing reflection on this ministry, as recommended by the Synthesis Report of the first Session of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops last October, focusing especially "on the diaconia of charity and service to the poor."

"Accompanying these reflections and developments is a very important task of your Dicastery. I encourage you to work towards this and to mobilize all the necessary resources."

The Pope's brought his address to a close by inviting participants to work "so that the People of God might have pastors according to the heart of Christ," accompanied by Mary, "the model of every vocation."

LINK

New Vocations for a New Europe - Final document of the Congress on Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life in Europe www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_13021998_new-vocations_en.html