Monday, February 24, 2014

POPE FRANCIS: PRAY FOR THE PASTORS OF THE CHURCH TO BE GOOD SERVANTS, NOT GOOD MASTERS


Vatican City, 23 February 2014 (VIS) – At midday, after celebrating Holy Mass with the new cardinals in the Vatican basilica, the Pope appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

The Bishop of Rome commented on the Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, a community divided into various groups who referred to different preachers, whom they considered their chiefs. Paul explained that this way of thinking was mistaken, as the community did not belong to the apostles, but rather they, the apostles, belonged to the entire community of Christ.

“From this origin, derive all Christian communities”, continued Pope Francis:”dioceses, parishes, associations, movements ... the differences cannot contradict the fact that everyone, by Baptism, has the same dignity: in Jesus Christ we are all children of God. … Those who have received the ministry of guiding, of preaching, of administering the Sacraments, must not consider themselves as having special powers, as masters, but must place themselves at the service of the community, helping it to walk the path of holiness with joy”.

"The Church today entrusts the witness of this style of pastoral life to the new cardinals, with whom I have celebrated the Holy Mass this morning. Yesterday's consistory and today's Eucharistic celebration have given us a valuable opportunity to experience Catholicity, the Church's universality, well represented by the varied backgrounds of the members of the College of Cardinals gathered in close communion around Peter's Successor. May the Lord give us the grace to work for the unity of the Church, and to build this unity, for unity is more important than conflicts. Unity is Christ's; conflicts are problems that are not always Christ's”.

“I invite you to support these pastors and to help them with prayer … How in need of your prayers are the Pope, cardinals, and bishops, to help the People of God advance along their path. I say 'to help', or rather to serve the People, for this is the true vocation of the bishop, the cardinal and the Pope: to be servants, to serve in Christ's name. Pray for us, so that we might be good servants, not good masters. All together, bishops, priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful; we must all offer the witness of a Church faithful to Christ, inspired by the wish to serve our brothers and ready to meet with prophetic courage the expectations and the spiritual needs of the men and women of our time. May Our Lady accompany us and protect us in this journey”.


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