Bishops who neglect prayer weaken Church, Pope tells congregation

January 22, 2016

The Church suffers when bishops do not have an active life of prayer, Pope Francis said in his homily at morning Mass in the Domus Sancta Marthae on January 22.

"The first task of a bishop is to be with Jesus in prayer,” the Pope said. “The first job of a bishop is not to prepare pastoral plans.”

The second task of the bishop is to preach, bearing witness to the faith, the Holy Father continued. If a bishop neglects either of these two main tasks, the Church is weakened, he said.

The Pope asked his congregation to pray for bishops, saying that this is “an obligation of live.” He stressed that bishops need prayers “because we too are sinners.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Francis: God's people suffer if their bishops fail to pray (Vatican Radio)