THE PRIEST AND THE THIRD CHRISTIAN MILLENNIUM

VATICAN CITY, JUL 20, 1999 (VIS) - The Congregation for Clergy has published a document that is directed to all priests and entitled "The Priest and the Third Christian Millennium, Teacher of the Word, Minister of the Sacraments and Leader of the Community."

It was during its plenary session of October 13-15, 1998 that the congregation decided to entrust this "circular letter" to all priests. The document is dated March 19, 1999 and carries the signature of Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos and Archbishop Csaba Ternyak, respectively prefect and secretary of the congregation. It is published in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese and Polish.

In the first chapter, "In the Service of New Evangelization," it is specified that, despite the "intense secularization in society," there exists a "religious sensitivity which seeks to satisfy the innate aspiration for God which is present in the hearts of all mankind." Furthermore, it is recalled that all Christians "are called to collaborate, in so far as their personal circumstances permit, in the new evangelizing mission."

Chapter two, entitled "Teachers of the Word," states that "new evangelization demands a zealous ministry of the Word which is complete and well-founded. It should have a clear theological, spiritual, liturgical and moral content, while bearing in mind the needs of those men and women whom it must reach."

On the subject of preaching, the document highlights the need to cultivate formal aspects: "Like that of Christ, priestly preaching should be positive (and) stimulating," and it is necessary to "present revealed truth in a captivating way. ... (The priest's) apostolic spirit should move him to acquire competence in the use of the 'new pulpits' provided by modern communications and ensure that his preaching is always of a standard congruent with the preached word," using "elegant accurate language" comprehensible to all.

The third chapter, "Ministers of the Sacraments," indicates that the celebration of the sacraments represents an occasion to attract the faithful, especially "those who, having lost the practice of the faith, occasionally participate in the liturgy for family or social reasons."

In mentioning the sacrament of the Eucharist, it is emphasized that "formation of the faithful concerning the essence of the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar is vitally important as is the need to encourage them to participate fruitfully in the Eucharist." It is also recalled that certain conditions must be fulfilled in order to participate in communion, "especially individual sacramental confession for those conscious that they are not in a state of grace."

"Fixed times during which the priest is available in the confessional are warmly to be encouraged. They should be well published and availability on the priest's part should not be just theoretical."

Chapter four, "Loving Pastors of the Flock," states that the priest, "in close communion with his bishop and with his faithful, ... should avoid introducing into his pastoral ministry all forms of authoritarianism and forms of democratic administration which are alien to the profound reality of the ministry, for these lead to a secularization of the priest and a clericalization of the laity."

"The priest enjoys a certain prestige amongst the faithful and, in some places, with the civil authorities. He should, however, be aware that such prestige should be lived in humility and used correctly for the promotion of the 'salus animarum.'"

The conclusion reiterates that parishioners and those who collaborate in pastoral works "see, observe, feel and listen," not only when the priest preaches and celebrates the sacraments, but also "when he eats and when he rests," when they see his "simplicity and priestly poverty; when they talk with him and ... are comforted by his spiritual outlook."

The text concludes with a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking her to increase the awareness of priests "that they are primarily responsible for new evangelization."

CPC;PRIESTS;...;CASTRILLON; TERNYAK;VIS;19990720;Word: 640;