Missing from Year for Priests celebration: a papal proclamation on the Curé of Ars
June 11, 2010
In a break from the program announced in advance by the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI did not cap the Year for Priests with a solemn proclamation naming St. John Vianney as the patron of all priests.
The Year for Priests was timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the famed Curé of Ars, who is already honored by the Church as the patron saint of parish priests. In March 2009, in laying out plans for the year, the Vatican said that at the closing Mass on June 11 the Pontiff would extend the Curé's patronage to include all priests, including members of religious orders. But the Pope did not take that step-- apparently because of a late change in thinking at the Vatican.
The French news agency I Media reported earlier this week that some Church leaders had questioned whether a parish priest like the Curé of Ars, who carried out his ministry in a thoroughly secular environment, would be an ideal model for members of religious orders. Evidently that report was accurately, because-- without any announcement to explain the change in schedule-- the Pope did not issue the anticipated proclamation.
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Further information:
- Le curé d’Ars ne sera pas proclamé patron des prêtres du monde (La Croix)
- The strangest news item of the year:?Pope backtracking on decision to proclaim Vianney patron of all priests (Rorate Caeli)
- Incuria D'Ars (Palazzo Apostolico)
- Pope proclaims special Year for Priests starting June 19 (CWN, 3/16/2009)
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Jun. 11, 2010 3:27 PM ET USA
This is truly sad. It seems to be indicative of disarray in the Holy See. If the speculation is correct that the reason is that the Cure is not a model for all priests, that indicates a superficial notion of sanctity and the priesthood. No saint is there to represent the lives of the faithful. Every priest/person is unique. The Cure is model because of self-denial, fidelity, dedication to the sacraments, love for the Church. That's not a model for every priest? Somebody needs a reality check.
