“Reaching out, raising our brothers, reminding them that God is faithful to his promises, urging them to go forward. Our hands have been ‘anointed with the Spirit’ not only for the sacred rites, but to encourage, help, accompany people to get out of what paralyzes them, closes them, makes them fearful”. Thus Pope Francis meeting Bishops, priests, men and women religious in the cathedral of Juba in South Sudan.
“Support the struggles of the people with prayer before Godattract forgiveness, administer reconciliation as channels of the mercy of God who forgives sins: it is our task as intercessors!” says the Pope.
“Pastors – underlines Bergoglio – are required to develop the art of ‘walking in the midst’: in the midst of suffering and tears, in the midst of the hunger for God and the thirst for love of our brothers and sisters. Our first duty is not to be a perfectly organized Church, but a Church which, in the name of Christ, stands in the midst of the suffering life of the people and gets its hands dirty for the people“.
“Never – he reiterates – must we exercise our ministry pursuing religious and social prestige, but walking among and together, learning to listen and to dialogue, collaborating among us ministers and with the laity. Well, I would like to repeat this important word: together. Bishops and priests, priests and deacons, pastors and seminarians, ordained and religious ministers, always nurturing respect for the wonderful specificity of religious life: let us try to overcome the temptation of individualism, of partisan interests among ourselves”.
The Pontiff warns: “It is very sad when Pastors are not capable of communion, are unable to collaborate, even ignore each other! Let us cultivate mutual respect, closeness, concrete collaboration. If this does not happen between us, how can we preach it to others?”
Bergoglio says again: “To intercede on behalf of our people we too are called to raise our voices against injustice and abusewho crush people and use violence to run business in the shadow of conflict”.
“If we want to be Pastors who intercede, we cannot remain neutral in the face of the pain caused by injustice and violence – articulates the Pontiff – because, where a woman or a man is injured in their fundamental rights, Christ is offended”.
“If there is a temptation we must guard against, it is that of leaving things as they are and not being interested in situations for fear of losing privileges and conveniences”, warns Francis.
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