Respect role of laity, Pope urges Italian bishops in advice-packed address

May 18, 2015

Bishops should respect the proper role of the laity, trusting lay Catholics to take the lead in political and social affairs, Pope Francis said in a May 18 address to the Italian bishops’ conference.

Addressing the Italian bishops’ general assembly, the Pope said that the laity do not need “pilot bishops” who lead them in public affairs, but “pastor bishops” who will provide spiritual guidance.

In an address full of practical suggestions, the Pope said that bishops:

• should guard their people against “ideological colonization”—a phrase that he has used frequently to describe attempts to spread acceptance of abortion, contraception, homosexuality, and gender ideology;
• should be ready to denounce corruption in public office;
• should be careful to avoid issuing abstract public statements that have little impact; and
• should ensure that their conference is not always listening to the same voices, by promoting broader participation in discussions.

 

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Further information:

• Pope’s message to Italian bishops: Don’t be shy in speaking out against corruption (Vatican Insider)