"Priestly Tasks: Identity, Sanctification and Mission"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am posting a link to an interview in which Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, speaks on priesthood, but includes much more; such as:

ZENIT: And how is all this placed in the perspective of the upcoming Year of Faith?

Cardinal Piacenza: The Year of Faith was desired by the Holy Father to commemorate two important anniversaries, one dependent on the other. First of all the 50th of the opening of Ecumenical Vatican Council II and, consequently, the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is the Catechism of the Ecumenical Vatican Council II! Once again priests are called to offer their generous contribution, also in the Year of Faith, to carry out the indications of the Pope, remembering how, precisely in the mission and work of evangelization, their own priestly identity is strengthened. To read and, in a certain sense “rediscover” the Council, in all its prophetic and missionary worth, is one of the main urgent tasks in the Church today.

ZENIT: Do you think the Council is not sufficiently known?

Cardinal Piacenza: I believe that the Church is always guided by the Holy Spirit and that, hence, texts even after 50 years, can and must continue to speak to the whole ecclesial Body and, in particular, to all priests. The Council, as confirmed many times either by Blessed John Paul II or by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, is a “compass” for the third millennium and, consequently, for every endeavor of evangelization and New Evangelization. The correct hermeneutic is a condition, and not an obstacle, to knowledge of the Council. Suffice it to think, for example, and I recall it clearly, the impact that the encyclical Evangelii Nuntiandi had, of the Servant of God, Pope Paul VI, in which already interpreted, in a prophetic way for those times, was the missionary impulse of the Council.

Entitled: "Priestly Tasks: Identity, Sanctification and Mission", the interview which I read this morning is HERE.

I would be interested in comments anyone has on the thoughts of the Cardinal, not only on Priesthood, but also on the Mission of the Church and the Sanctification of the People of God, as the Cardinal discusses these topics. Thanks.

[animalis]

It seems to me that a priest has to be a scholar, or driven from formation to strive to learn and learn. Our faith is a faith of facts, that determines much activity in the books. The prime love for this should be Sacred Scripture for according to Dei Verbum this is the soul of theology.

Now the Cardinal said, "The correct hermeneutic is a condition, and not an obstacle, to knowledge of the Council." This statement when heeded would solve the bad formation of priests. The Council, within the Constitutions, is filled with references to Scripture. And Scripture should be studied in light of the Church Fathers ("Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set." Prov 22:28), again, here we have the facts that have to be known for a fulfilling hermeneutic.

Furthermore, "Knowledge puffeth up; but charity edifieth." (1 Cor 8:1) Formation needs more then ever before to instill serious time in prayer with the rosary and silence with eyes drawn to the Blessed Sacrament. They need to put an extra hour into this. Even if it impedes the homework offering. Less homework more prayer. It is a difficult balance the bishops have to make.

[MariaChristi]

Originally Posted by animalis

It seems to me that a priest has to be a scholar, or driven from formation to strive to learn and learn. Our faith is a faith of facts, that determines much activity in the books. The prime love for this should be Sacred Scripture for according to Dei Verbum this is the soul of theology.

Now the Cardinal said, "The correct hermeneutic is a condition, and not an obstacle, to knowledge of the Council." This statement when heeded would solve the bad formation of priests. The Council, within the Constitutions, is filled with references to Scripture. And Scripture should be studied in light of the Church Fathers ("Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set." Prov 22:28), again, here we have the facts that have to be known for a fulfilling hermeneutic.

Furthermore, "Knowledge puffeth up; but charity edifieth." (1 Cor 8:1) Formation needs more then ever before to instill serious time in prayer with the rosary and silence with eyes drawn to the Blessed Sacrament. They need to put an extra hour into this. Even if it impedes the homework offering. Less homework more prayer. It is a difficult balance the bishops have to make.

Dear animalis,

Thanks for your reply. The Formation of Priests is very important, as is the formation of every disciple of Christ! All of us need to listen to God's Word and pray the Rosary, if we are to grow in our spiritual life. I think the Cardinal said it well in reminding us that in praying for the sacntification of priests, we are praying also for the sanctification of the People of God. Priests exert tremendous influence over people in a parish. Someone said: "Like Priest, like parish". If the pastor has no zeal for the Church's Mission of Evangelization, the parishioners will probably not have much zeal either -- unless, of course by God's Grace they have been praying and studying scripture on their own!

Let us pray for holy priests and for holy people of God!