Pope asks bishops of Ivory Coast to build a sense of fraternity
September 18, 2014
In a September 18 address to visiting bishops from Ivory Coast, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of close fraternal relations among bishops and encouraged careful inculturation of the faith.
Close working relations among bishops, the Pope observes, are especially important “in a country that has suffered serious divisions and is in need of your witness and your firm commitment to rebuilding fraternity.” He added that Church leaders should maintain productive ties with political officials and with Muslim leaders as well.
The Pope went on to say that the clergy should be partners with the bishops in this task of building fraternity. Toward that end he asked the bishops to pay careful attention to the formation of priests. “Use, wherever possible, gentleness, persuasion and encouragement to awaken pastoral zeal, rather than immediate sanctions or severity,” he said.
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