Priests are not executives, Pope reminds congregation
June 06, 2014
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In his homily at a morning Mass on June 6, Pope Francis said that every priest should ask himself regularly: “Am I a pastor, or an employee of this NGO called the Church?”
A priest cannot work effectively as a pastor if he thinks of himself as a sort of corporate executive, the Pope said. A pastor must be a shepherd, ready to sacrifice for his flock.
Nor should priests expect tangible evidence of success in their ministry, the Pope continued. Serving Christ, they should expect “to end up as He did,” the Pontiff said—sacrificing their lives without winning public acclaim. He reminded his congregation that Christian love is like a seed of grain, which dies “so that the fruit can be born.”
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Posted by: unum -
Jun. 07, 2014 12:11 AM ET USA
Many bishops and pastors see themselves as financial managers or politicians because of the U.S. Church's preoccupation with both subjects. After an aggressive diocesan appeal in 2013, it was immediately followed by a capital "gift" campaign at Christmas and plans for another major capital campaign in 2014. Our diocesan newspaper features "Letter to the Editor" debates on political issues that put many secular papers to shame. The Holy Spirit gets a small article on page 20!
