2009-08-07 12:49:59

Agartala Diocese Steps into the ‘Year of Priests’


(August 7, 2009) Agartala Diocese in Northeast India inaugurated the ‘Year of Priests’ at a special Eucharistic celebration on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney. The Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Lumen Monteiro and joined in by all priests and religious working in the diocese. This was preceded by a day-long seminar on the ‘ministry and spirituality of the priest’ animated by Fr. Linus Neli, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Imphal. Reiterating Pope Benedict’s emphasis on ‘the sanctity of priests for the life and mission of the Church’, Bishop Monteiro exhorted fellow priests to make the occasion ‘a year-long opportunity for self-evaluation’. He hoped the year would help the priests in the diocese to become “happier, holier, more faithful and more united.” He gave the example of many zealous priests who have travelled long distances to reach remote villages and have lived without basic facilities and have given their lives to people in service and spread of the Gospel message, have found true happiness.” Reflecting deep into Pope Benedict’s ‘Letter to Priests’ Bishop Lumen invited every priest to have his gaze always fixed on the Master. He cited the example of St. John Vianney whom the Pontiff calls ‘a model for priesthood’ “St. John Vianney taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life. It was from his example that they learned to pray. The Bishop also urged the priests that they must support and encourage each other and build thriving Christian community.







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