PRIESTHOOD IS A SACRAMENT, NOT A MEANS OF ADVANCEMENT

VATICAN CITY, APR 24, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received in audience prelates from the Ghana Bishops' Conference, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit. In his English-language talk to them, the Pope reminded the bishops that they "have all come to Rome, this city where the Apostles Peter and Paul gave of themselves completely in imitation of Christ. ... The gift of self to the other is also at the heart of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Those who receive this sacrament are configured in a particular way to Christ, the Head of the Church."

  Pope Benedict praised recent efforts in Ghana "to deal with the scourge of poverty and to strengthen the economy. Notwithstanding this laudable progress, much still remains to be done to overcome this condition which impedes a large portion of the population. Extreme and widespread poverty often results in a general moral decline leading to crime, corruption, attacks on the sanctity of human life or even a return to the superstitious practices of the past."

  In such a situation, where it easy to lose trust in the future, the Church "shines forth as a beacon of hope in the life of the Christian, ... by helping the faithful gain a better understanding of the promises of Jesus Christ," and forming them "to deepen their Christian faith and thus enable them to take their rightful place both in the Church of Christ and in society." In this context, the Pope praised the work of catechists, though noting how they "are often impeded in their task by a lack of resources or hostile environments," and inviting bishops "to ensure that these evangelists receive the spiritual, doctrinal, moral and material support they require to carry out their mission properly."

  The Pope then observed that in Ghana "young people constitute almost half of the population. ... A solid catechetical foundation," he said, "will strengthen them in their Catholic identity and give them the necessary tools to confront the challenges of changing economic realities, globalization and disease. It will also assist them in responding to the arguments often put forward by religious sects."

  Going on to refer to "the Church's task to assist Christian families to live faithfully and generously as true 'domestic churches'," the Pope reiterated the bishops' own concern "about the proper celebration of Christian marriage in Ghana. ... While Christianity always seeks to respect the venerable traditions of cultures and peoples, it also seeks to purify those practices which are contrary to the Gospel," he said.

  "For this reason," he added, "it is essential that the entire Catholic community continue to stress the importance of the monogamous and indissoluble union of man and woman, consecrated in holy matrimony. For the Christian, traditional forms of marriage can never be a substitute for sacramental marriage."

  Turning to consider the priesthood, the Holy Father said it "must never be seen as a way of improving one's social standing or standard of living. If it is, then priestly gift of self and docility to God's designs will give way to personal desires, rendering the priest ineffective and unfulfilled."

  Finally, the Pope encouraged the bishops in their efforts "to ensure the suitability of candidates for the priesthood and to guarantee proper priestly formation for those who are studying for the sacred ministry." Recalling how this year marks the centenary of the arrival of missionaries in northern Ghana, he concluded by saying: "It is my special prayer that missionary zeal will continue to fill you and your beloved people, strengthening you in your efforts to spread the Gospel."
AL/.../GHANA                                VIS 20060424 (610)