VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI receives Bishops of Malawi in visita ad limina: “a priest is called to live for others and not for himself, in imitation of Christ”

Castel Gandolfo (Agenzia Fides) - This morning Pope Benedict XVI received the Bishops of Malawi, together as a conference for the ad limina visit after meeting each one individually over the past few days. The Pope remarked on the vitality of Malawi’s Catholic communities expressed in joyful celebration of the liturgy, common to all Africa and this reflects the predominant presence of young people in the population. The Holy Father encouraged the Bishops to “Continue to guide them with true fatherly care towards a deeper knowledge of their Crucified and Risen Lord, always providing them with sound catechesis in the faith. To this end, it is important that teachers and catechists receive good preparation for their noble task since, as you know, they play a vital part in helping the Bishop to carry out his responsibility as the one who teaches with Christ’s authority. Hence they should be well formed in the faith and able to communicate both the joy and the challenge of following Christ” and he affirmed “I am hopeful that the newly-opened Catholic University of Malawi will be able to make a significant contribution in this area, and I encourage you to do all you can to provide it with sufficient resources and to maintain high-quality teaching in fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium”
The Pope then spoke about the difficulties encountered by priests. In a world dominated by secular and materialist values, it can be hard to maintain the counter-cultural manner of life that is so necessary in the priesthood and the religious life. Some priests find themselves in a situation of want. “I am sure - he said - that you will do your utmost to provide for the legitimate needs of your co-workers, while at the same time warning them against excessive concern with material possessions. Help your clergy not to fall into the trap of seeing the priesthood as a means of social advancement… The formation staff in the seminaries need to teach the students that a priest is called to live for others and not for himself, in imitation of Christ, who came "not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45). Above all, the Bishop’s example of a truly Christ-centred ministry can serve as an inspiration to his priests. My dear Brother Bishops, live as authentic followers of Christ, and let your discipleship be the basis of the authority that you exercise. I pray that in this way you will be able to strengthen the bonds of fraternal charity within the presbyterium of each of your local Churches.”
Another field for commitment of the Bishops of Malawi concerns society : in a Pastoral Letter issued at Pentecost the bishops mentioned social and moral problems: food threatened by drought security and unjust management, AIDS spread due to infidelity in marriage, rights of women and children violated by human trafficking, domestic violence and those who advocate abortion… The Pope encouraged the Bishops to follow the example of the Good Shepherd and “guide your people away from the dangers that threaten them, and lead them into safe pastures”.
Pope Benedict XVI ended his address recalling the scene of the Apostles gathered with Mary in the Upper Room to pray while awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, he urged the Bishops to continue to encourage the people to come together to pray in families, in Small Ecclesial Communities. “I too pray that the Spirit may be poured out abundantly upon all of you, and as I entrust you and your clergy, religious and lay faithful to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of grace and strength in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”.
(S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/9/2006, righe 45, parole 650)