A priest belongs to the people of God: Pope to Rome Priests

Rome, 17 September 2013: Even now that I am Pope, I feel a priest, said Pope Francis on Monday morning when he met for over two hours with priests from the Diocese of Rome. After the Vicar General of Rome, Cardinal Agostino Vallini welcomed him to the private meeting that took place in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the Pope addressed the clergy and answered the many questions they put to him.

Speaking off the cuff to bishops, vicars, priests and deacons, Pope Francis said the Church needs “shepherds of the people, not clerics of the State”. Recalling a letter he had written to his priests when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2008, the Pope said “a priest belongs to the people of God” and he reminded priests never to lose their identity which is in communion with the Holy Spirit, because without the Holy Spirit – he said - “we are in danger of losing our way in the understanding of faith”, and run the risk of ending up disoriented and self-centered.

Pope Francis told his fellow bishops that they ‘must always be close to their priests’, and to support them in times of difficulty and fatigue, eliciting thunderous applause from the priests. He invited them to be both pastors and zealous missionaries who live in constant yearning to go in search of the lost, never settling for simple administration. He called on his fellow priests never to be too lax or too severe, but to be merciful, taking care of the sinner and accompanying him on the journey of reconciliation.
Answering the first question, the Pope said that one should not "confuse creativity with doing something new." Creativity, he said, is "getting back on track because the Gospel is proclaimed," and this "is not easy." Creativity, he reiterated, "is not just to change things." It comes from the Spirit. The Pope then shared with them stories of priests who fostered creativity in pastoral care. He also severely criticized those who are more concerned with money for a certificate in the parish. He spoke of a priest who never asked money not even for Mass intentions, but kept a box there and received double the amount making him confess that the people are generous.

He acknowledged that there are some scandals in the Church but also a lot more of holiness adding that "holiness every day," hidden, "the holiness of so many mothers and many women, and men who work all day for the family." "I dare say that the Church has never been so good as today. The Church does not collapse I'm sure!"

Pope Francis concluded focusing his attention on family - in particular on the sensitive issue of nullity of marriages and second marriages. He acknowledged that it is a serious problem and "the responsibility of the Church towards families who live in this situation." He said it will be discussed in the next Synod of Bishops.

Finally, in an atmosphere of great cordiality, Francis Pope recalled that on September 21^st he marks the 60^th anniversary of his vocation to the priesthood.Source: VR Sedoc