Pope Francis opened a symposium on the priesthood that has gathered priests, bishops, and theologians from around the world to the Vatican.
The three-day conference titled, “Toward a Fundamental Theology of the Priesthood” is organized by the Vatican's Research and Anthropology Center for Vocations, and the Congregation for Bishops.
Its prefect, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, explained the need to discuss the priesthood in light of the current abuse crisis in the Church.
CARD. MARC OUELLET
Prefect, Congregation for Bishops
'Should we not talk about the priesthood when the sins and crimes of shameful ministers are on the front pages of the international press?'
He added that the symposium is an opportunity to ask forgiveness to those whose lives have been destroyed by abuses committed by priests.
In his remarks, Pope Francis laid out what he called the “four closenesses” that all priests should strive for: Closeness to God, to the bishop, to one another, and to the people.
He says that developing these relationships helps priests overcome feelings of loneliness resulting from lives of celibacy.
POPE FRANCIS
'Without friends and without prayer, celibacy can become an unbearable burden and a testimony against the very beauty of the priesthood.'
The Pope also identified common problems among priests today, such as spiritual fatigue and envy.
POPE FRANCIS
'This is very sad. Here they ask for information about to make someone a bishop, and many many times, we receive information sick with envy. This is an illness among our ministers.'
Pope Francis spoke out strongly once again against the culture of clericalism in the Church, and encouraged priests not to get bogged down with administrative responsibilities, but spend time with their communities.
The symposium will cover topics such as celibacy and the priesthood, living out Vatican II, and the ministry of women in the Church.
JM
