On March 27, Pope Francis met at the Vatican with seminary students, religious superiors, and clerical trainers from Calabria, Italy, and encouraged them to walk together in unity and brotherhood to bring clerical training in line with the signs of the times.
C. Rubini CTC, Vatican News
The Pope shared the importance of the priestly vocation and the pastoral service during a meeting in the Vatican on Monday morning with the students and staff of the Calabria seminary, together with the bishops who had arrived for an ad limina visit. The Pope reminded them that a clerical career is a scourge. Reflecting on the words of John’s Gospel, “They dwelt with him”, the Pope reminded priests that these verses remind priests of the fundamental element of their priestly ministry, that this is their calling and that they should lead the way in God’s love and with God . They were also reminded to be careful not to fall prey to a career epidemic. “Career is one of the ugliest forms of worldliness that can exist in the clergy.” Papa shared.
Pastors are not officers
Recalling the words of Jesus who asked the disciples what they are looking for, the Pope asked them to ask themselves what they are looking for in the priesthood. As in the French courts, pretending to be shepherds of their people the Abbot The Pope also said that he is sad to see priests who have become priests of the system. He added that when the sense of priesthood is lost, it is disgusting.
The Pope asked the bishops present to ask themselves what kind of Church they dream of and what kind of priests they envision for their flock. The Pope said that there is a need to reflect on the ministry of a priest and he reminded that a priest should not be limited to a parish as an individual shepherd. In view of the need to adapt priestly formation to the signs of the times, he invited clerical trainers to “make a clear decision about priestly formation”.
In front of the students, the Pope shared the importance of dealing with the sufferings of the human family and showing the mercy of God the Father as Jesus did and the need to evangelize the youth. The Pope invited them to love everyone, to do everything in love and brotherhood.
