Pope asks bishops of Congo to emphasize training of priests, aid to needy dioceses
May 04, 2015
In a May 4 address to visiting priests from Congo, who were making their limina visits to Rome, Pope Francis put a high priority on the proper formation of priests, aid to dioceses that lack financial resources, and reconciliation in a society still scarred by violent conflicts.
The Pope began his message to the African bishops by taking note of the rapid growth of Catholicism in their country; he pointed to the establishment of three new dioceses in Congo. He also praised the Church’s work in education, health care, and national reconciliation.
The Pope encouraged the bishops to emphasize formation of the laity, and especially preparation for marriage. “The reluctance of the faithful to embark on Christian marriage reveals the need for profound evangelization,” he said. To carry out this task of evangelization, he continued, bishops must rely on the effectiveness of their priests. So he urged the bishops to pay close attention to the spiritual needs of their clergy, adding that the selection of candidates for the priesthood will “require rigorous discernment so that the People of God are able to count on zealous pastors.”
Pope Francis acknowledged that in some dioceses in Congo “there are great difficulties due to the lack of available financial and material resources.” He reminded the bishops of the example of mutual aid set by the early Christian community. The local churches that have enough material resources to meet their own needs should try to support those in need, he said.
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