BXVI: Priests must be compassionate with couples who fail to fulfil their marriage
vows
Addressing priests and families gathered on Sunday afternoon in the Cathedral of Ancona
where he spent a day-long apostolic visit, Pope Benedict XVIth reaffirmed the importance
of celibacy for priests, and asked them to be close to spouses, even to those in trouble.
Dear
priests – Pope Benedict said – for the gift of ordination that you have received,
you are called to serve as pastors of the ecclesial community, which is “family of
families” and to serve as witnesses for families. He urged them to encourage spouses,
to share their responsibilities, and to help them renew the grace of their marriages.
And he said, be welcoming and charitable with those who are having problems in upholding
their marriage commitments, and with those who, unfortunately, have failed to do so.
And
to the married couples present at the meeting, the Pope suggested they find the strength
to live a saintly life in the Holy Mass, in the Church, in forgiveness. May your daily
activity – Pope Benedict concluded – have its origin and its centre in sacramental
communion, for the glory of God.