Pope urges priests to give up worldly goods, ambition

Photo credit: ERIC VANDEVILLE

 VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has told the general assembly of bishops gathered in the Vatican for the annual Italian Episcopal Conference that the Italian clergy must renew itself.  He emphasised the importance of more believable priests who are orientated towards listening to people, who are less judging, and are without temptations in their earthly lives.  The pontiff has said that this kind of renewal is needed in Italy as he has seen how the cultural context is very different from the one in which he took his first steps in the ministry.

 He also believes that “in Italy many traditions, habits and views of life have been affected by profound change in this era, we that often find ourselves deploring this time with a bitter and accusatory tone, we must also feel its hardness.”

 The pope also touched on financial matters, “In your reflection on the renewal of the clergy, part of this chapter touches on the management of structures and economic goods: with an evangelical view, do not weigh yourselves down in a conserving that which you have, which prevents your openness to the perennial newness of the Spirit.  Keep only what can serve for the experience of faith and charity to the people of God.”

 He added that, “in this time of poor social friendship, our first task is to build community.”  Pope Francis described the ideal priest to be, “not offended by the fragility that shakes the human spirit: aware that he has healed a paralysed man,” and “it is far from the coldness of the penalty taker, as well as the superficiality of those who want to show cheap condescension.”

 “His simple and essential lifestyle, and his constant availability, will make him believable in the eyes of the people and introduces him to the humble, in a pastoral charity that makes us free and give us solidarity.  Servant of life, walking with the heart and the pace of the poor makes us rich by their attendance.  He is a man of peace and reconciliation, a sign and instrument of the tenderness of God, attentive to spread goodness with the same passion with which he treats his other interests.”

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