VATICAN - Cardinal Sepe meets seminarians in Khartoum at the start of his pastoral to Sudan: “the Church has much confidence in you, and if you respond with generosity to the vocation of the Lord, you will be the principal authors of the growth of the Church, notwithstanding the great challenges you will have to face”

Khartoum (Service Service) - This morning the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe started his pastoral visit to Sudan at Khartoum’s St. Paul’s major seminary where he met seminarians and formation staff a country. The African country is working hard to restore national peace still threatened by pockets of persisting violence. “I am pleased that you are the first group with whom I meet in this blessed land of Sudan - the Cardinal said - I am very happy to have this opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist with you. Indeed, it always gives me joy and consolation to meet with such a big group of enthusiastic young men who have received the call of our Lord Jesus Christ and are determined to continue his apostolic ministry of building God’s kingdom here on earth. May you also receive the blessing of the Holy Father who is often times thinking about you and is praying for your successful formation.”. Cardinal Sepe celebrated Mass at the seminary which is marking its centenary this year, and during the homily he said it was important for formators and seminarians to work together. To the students he said: “My dear seminarians, following the example of the disciples of Christ, you need to be humble people who are ready to listen and learn from your formators and all those who are involved in the formation process.”. And addressing the formation staff he said: “The delicate task for which you have been carefully chosen, the formation of the future priests, is the most important in the Church. The Church is very well aware of your dedication. No doubt, the young men who have been entrusted to your care, are expecting to get a lot from you: spiritually, academically, morally, socially, and whatever is to perfect them on their way to attaining their goal of being worth servants in the Lord’s vineyard.”.
In his address at a meeting after Mass Cardinal Sepe recalled “the precious contribution the Seminary has made to the Church of Sudan, in terms of preparing enthusiastic young men for the ordained pastoral ministry” and he reflected on the vocation to the priesthood and formation: clear understanding of the call received, union and communion with Jesus Christ, readiness to live a life of service, chastity and celibacy, obedience, simple life style and in a spirit of mission.
Be conscious, my dear seminarians, -Cardinal Sepe concluded-, that the Church has much confidence in you, and if you respond with generosity to the vocation of the Lord, you will be the principal authors of the growth of the Church, notwithstanding the great challenges you will have to face.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/2/2006, righe 28, parole 415)