Pope: Bishops should welcome gifts of the laity

Pope Benedict XVI greeted over 100 new bishops who are in Rome for a course co-sponsored by the Congregations for Bishops and Eastern Churches. The Pope highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a bishop.

He said the Episcopal ordination gives bishops the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders in order to “serve the universal priesthood of all the faithful.”

He said bishops have a responsibility to be vigilant and work to ensure that the baptized grow in the grace and charisms that the Holy Spirit stirs up in their hearts and in their communities. He pointed out that baptism makes a person a “son in the Son”, and this divine filiation allows the Christian to participate in the Trinitarian communion.

The Pope told the bishops to welcome the gifts of the laity for the sanctification of the Church and the vitality of the apostolate, while reminding them of their duty to discern the authenticity of these charisms.

“We must be clear that no charism can exist without reference and submission to the Pastors of the Church,” he said.

Pope Benedict then went on to say the complex and delicate ministry of the bishop requires him to have a strong spiritual life. He said the personal holiness of the bishop should manifest the objective holiness of the Episcopal Office. He encouraged them to a life of prayer, nourished by meditation on the Word of God, personal study, and proper rest.

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