Encourage vocations by broadening horizons, Pope urges Church leaders
October 21, 2016
Speaking on October 21 to an international conference on religious vocations, Pope Francis said that the Church must not rely on planning and programs, but on imitation of Christ.
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The Pope organized his remarks around Jesus’ call to St. Matthew. He reminded his listeners that the description of that vocational call—Christ “having mercy and choosing” Matthew—was his own episcopal motto. The same process is always at work in forming a priestly or religious vocation, he said.
Pope Francis said that the work of encouraging vocations requires three actions. First, the Church must “go out,” broadening its vision, never being afraid of failure. Second, the Church must see people without preconceptions, training priests who will accompany their people without making judgments or trying to control their behavior. Finally, the call must not take the form of a lecture, but an invitation to follow the Lord.
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Posted by: rickt26170 -
Oct. 21, 2016 11:38 PM ET USA
Typical Francis. Meet the people where they live and make no judgement. But people in the West live in a squalid and shallow culture that stands in complete opposition to core Church teaching. JPII and Benedict saw the squalor and showed knew the pain those trapped. But the Church is to give no judgement on the cultural squalor and not ask those contaminated by secularism to follow a better road, she doesn't offer them a way out. Mothers tell children what to do. Francis should know this.
