Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Luanda (Agenzia Fides) – "It is an easily verifiable fact that most of the men of our time form an idea of Christ and His Church, first and foremost through His consecrated ministers. Therefore, this makes the need for genuine evangelical witness that is a living and transparent image of Christ the Priest," all the more urgent. These are the words of the Bishops of the Bishops' Conference of Angola, Sao Tome, and Principe (CEAST) addressing priests in their pastoral message for this Year for Priests, which was issued after the first Plenary Assembly of CEAST.
"The pursuit of holiness, which is the goal of every baptized person is a duty which is all the more urgent for the priest," emphasizes the message. "This is a specific vocation to holiness, which is marked by dedication and the mission to be a sign and instrument of Christ, Head and Shepherd of the Church, through priestly ministry. The ministry is a dynamic of personal identification of the priest, a minister of Christ, in configuration with Him, the One who came to serve and not to be served. The ministry, far from being an obstacle, is the path of sanctification for the priest," as shown in the example of the Curé of Ars.
The message continues: "The priest, even when engaged in other activities, such as education, cannot forget that he is always a priest, and therefore that such activities must also be at the service of his pastoral mission."
"The Angolan people, thirsting for God, fervently hope that their priests be men of God." And yet, "the priest will not become a man of God unless he is a man of prayer. As the Holy Father has said: "Being a priest means being a man of prayer." "Prayer, study, and apostolic zeal: this is the path of sanctification for the priest," the bishops said.
On the occasion of this Year for Priests, the bishops recommend Adoration “for the Sanctification of Priests and Spiritual Maternity,” as indicated by the Congregation for the Clergy and the mobilization of the Apostolic Union of the Clergy, in order to strengthen the brotherhood of priests." A prayer for priests is the best gift you can offer them and the logical consequence of true love," concluded the message. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2010)
