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Formation of Priests Is Key
for Africa, Says Pope
Urges Bishops to Select and Prepare Them Well
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VATICAN CITY, JUNE 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).-
Among the priorities for evangelization, Benedict XVI urges the
bishops of southern Africa to pay special attention to the selection
and formation of candidates to the priesthood.
The Pope emphasized that point today when he received in audience the
bishops of South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Lesotho
during their five-yearly visit to Rome.
"Bishops have a particular responsibility to ensure that these
irreplaceable evangelizers are provided with the necessary spiritual,
doctrinal and moral preparation," said the Holy Father.
"Many priests, religious and lay men and women who have given
their lives to this noble task."
After mentioning the marked increased in vocations to the priesthood
in sub-Saharan Africa, the Bishop of Rome reminded the prelates that
it "is your grave responsibility to help them develop into men of
the Eucharist."
"Priests are called to leave everything and become ever more
devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, leading men and women to this
mystery and the peace it brings," he said.
Because of this, the Pontiff encouraged the pastors of southern Africa
"to select conscientiously candidates for the priesthood."
Embracing celibacy
"Likewise these young men should be formed with great concern to
guarantee that they are prepared for the many challenges they will
face, helping them manifest in word and deed the peace and joy of our
Lord and Savior," the Pope said.
He continued: "A world filled with temptations needs priests who
are totally dedicated to their mission. Accordingly, they are asked in
a very special way to open themselves fully to serving others as
Christ did by embracing the gift of celibacy."
Bishops should assist them by ensuring that "this gift never
becomes a burden but always remains life-giving," the Holy Father
added. "One of the ways this can be achieved is by bringing
ministers of word and sacrament together for continuing education,
retreats and days of recollection."
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Pope's Address to Bishops of
Southern Africa
"Be Sustained by the Lord's Promise 'I Am With You Always'"
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).-
Here is the address Benedict XVI delivered today to the bishops of
South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Lesotho at the
conclusion of their five-yearly visit to Rome.
* * *
Dear Brother Bishops,
1. "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in
unity" (Psalm 133:1). In this spirit of harmony I welcome you,
the Bishops of South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Lesotho,
with joy and affection. Through you I extend my warm greetings to the
clergy, religious and laity in your countries. In this year dedicated
to the Eucharist you are blessed to make your solemn visit "ad
limina apostolorum." "The Eucharist, the heart of Christian
life and the source of the Church's evangelizing mission, cannot but
constitute the permanent center and source of the Petrine
Ministry" (Message at the Missa Pro Ecclesia, April 20, 2005, 4).
Likewise, it must always be at the heart of your Episcopal ministry
and an inspiration to those who assist you in your sacred task.
2. Communion with Christ is the unfailing source of every element of
ecclesial life -- "first of all communion among all the faithful,
the commitment to proclaiming and witnessing to the Gospel, the ardor
of love for all, especially the poorest and lowliest" (ibid).
Catholics in your region constitute a minority. This presents many
challenges which require dedication on the part of the Church to tend
the flock effectively and, at the same time, remain faithful to her
missionary commitment. For this reason it is essential that the
bishops promote the crucial work of catechesis in order to ensure that
God's people are truly prepared to witness by word and deed to the
authentic teaching of the Gospel. As I look at the Church in Africa,
and at all that has been accomplished there over the last century, I
give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the many priests, religious and
lay men and women who have given their lives to this noble task.
Bishops have a particular responsibility to ensure that these
"irreplaceable evangelizers" are provided with the necessary
spiritual, doctrinal and moral preparation (cf. "Ecclesia in
Africa," 91).
3. Even though your region still needs more priests, one cannot help
but thank God for the large number of vocations to the priesthood you
are currently witnessing in Sub-Saharan Africa. As Shepherds of
Christ's flock, it is your grave responsibility to help them develop
into men of the Eucharist. Priests are called to leave everything and
become ever more devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, leading men and
women to this mystery and the peace it brings (cf. Homily Pentecost
Sunday 2005). I encourage you, therefore, in your ongoing efforts to
select conscientiously candidates for the priesthood. Likewise these
young men should be formed with great concern to guarantee that they
are prepared for the many challenges they will face, helping them
manifest in word and deed the peace and joy of our Lord and Savior. A
world filled with temptations needs priests who are totally dedicated
to their mission. Accordingly, they are asked in a very special way to
open themselves fully to serving others as Christ did by embracing the
gift of celibacy. Bishops should assist them by ensuring that this
gift never becomes a burden but always remains life-giving. One of the
ways this can be achieved is by bringing ministers of word and
sacrament together for continuing education, retreats and days of
recollection.
4. Family life has always been a unifying characteristic of African
society. In fact, it is within the "domestic Church,"
"built on the solid cultural pillar and noble values of the
African tradition of the family," that children first learn of
the centrality of the Eucharist in Christian life (cf. "Ecclesia
in Africa," 92). It is of great concern that the fabric of
African life, its very source of hope and stability, is threatened by
divorce, abortion, prostitution, human trafficking and a contraceptive
mentality, all of which contribute to a breakdown in sexual morality.
Brother Bishops, I share your deep concern over the devastation caused
by AIDS and related diseases. I especially pray for the widows, the
orphans, the young mothers and all those whose lives have been
shattered by this cruel epidemic. I urge you to continue your efforts
to fight this virus which not only kills but seriously threatens the
economic and social stability of the Continent. The Catholic Church
has always been at the forefront both in prevention and in treatment
of this illness. The traditional teaching of the Church has proven to
be the only failsafe way to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. For this
reason, "the companionship, joy, happiness and peace which
Christian marriage and fidelity provide, and the safeguard which
chastity gives, must be continuously presented to the faithful,
particularly the young" ("Ecclesia in Africa," 116).
5. Dear Brothers, as we continue to celebrate a year devoted to the
Holy Eucharist, I pray that you will be sustained by the Lord's
promise "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:19). May your
witness as men filled with Eucharistic hope help your flocks to arrive
at an ever-greater appreciation of this Mystery. To each of you and to
all those under your pastoral care, I cordially impart my Apostolic
Blessing.
[Original text: English]
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