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REV. FR. RICHARD BAAWOBR, M.Afr is Bishop-elect for Wa Diocese
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The Holy Father has appointed Msgr. Richard Baawobr, M. Afr. bishop-elect of Wa Diocese. Bishop-Elect Richard Baawobr takes over from Most Rev. Paul Bemile who has reached the canonical retirement age.  (read more)
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Bishop Afoakwah visits Obuasi faithful in Accra
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Cardinal Turkson inducted Fellow of GAAS
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FIANU IS NEW BISHOP OF HO DIOCESE
Valedictory Mass for
​Bishop Lodonu

After 42 years of Episcopacy 
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Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer Buckle 
decries same sex marriage
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Catholic Mutual Health Insurance in the offing
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Denounce injustices in society Bishop Osei-Bonsu urges Marshallans
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Accra Archdiocese gets five Priest 
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Cape Coast gets nine Priests
COMMUNIQUE OF THE PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE HELD AT BOLGATANGA, UPPER EAST REGION, FROM 6TH TO 14TH NOVEMBER, 2015
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The Position of the Catholic Church on Homosexuality
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Francis to Visit Africa in November. full story...
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Bishop-Elect Fianu calls for co-operation

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Saltpond celebrates 125 years of Catholicism
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HO DIOCESE GETS NEW BISHOP 
(full story)...
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Bishop Lodonu commended
For clocking for 50 years in Priesthood
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Congratulations
HIS EMINENCE PETER CARDINAL APPIAH TURKSON
40th anniversary of Priestly ordination

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Bishop Osei-Bonsu 
Clock 40 years in Priesthood and 20 years of Episcopacy (full story)...

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CONGESTION IN GHANA PRISONS
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Eliminating Child Labour
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Child marriages in Ghana

Bird flu cases in Ghana
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I’ll come back to Catholic Church – President Castro...
PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE ON FLOODS IN ACCRA AND RELATED ISSUES
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POJOBA lifts Professional Trophy
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‘Marriage is not showy ceremony’...
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‘Corruption Stinks’...full story
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Catholic Church speaks on xenophobic attacks... full story
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Rise in AIDS cases...
full story
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'Be there for all Nigerians' ...
full story

JANUARY, 2016
  • Bishop Kwofie leads clean-up exercise
  • Statement From The Association Of Catholic Teachers (Act) Kumasi Province  To The Media
    ​(On The Gitmo Detainees)
  • Ghana will be peaceful
  • World Day of Peace
  • Ghana to host West Africa catholic Bishops in February 2016
  • 54 years in Journalism Profession

DECEMBER, 2015​
  • Bishops bemoan election violence
  • Bishops issue Pastoral Guidelines
  • ​Fighting poverty
  • “Set good examples” by Bishop Peter Paul Angkyier
  • ‘Cherish work of Catechists’
  • Intraparty Violence: Potential Threat to our Democratic Governance
  • Climate Change Conference​
  • Protect African values
  • ​Abolish Computerised School Selection System
  • ​The GCBC Communique The GCBC Communique
OCTOBER, 2015​
  • “Priests can absolve women for abortion”
  • Rise in teenage pregnancy
  • “Priests can absolve women for abortion” 
  • CBCN calls for prayers for Nigeria
  • GH¢ 80,000 for needy students
SEPTEMBER, 2015
  • Biblical Apostolate holds Congress
  • Emulate virtues of Mary
  • Graduate unemployment
  • Nuncio commends SNAM‘African
  • ​The Pro-Life Conference
  • Youth suffer from Political Confusion’​
  • Be committed to Catholic ideals
  • ​‘Make Formation of children priority’
AUGUST, 2015
  • ‘Be considerate on Missionaries serving in Ghana’
  • The H5N1 Bird flu
  • SVD gets three Priests
  • GCBC Statement on Long-term National Development Plan
  • Pope declares World Day for Care of Creation
  • Remove barriers affecting physically challenged
  • Modern Auto Services donates Sunyani Diocese
  • MAREDES donates to flood Victims
  • SPIRITAN ORDINATION 2015: EJISU BY Bishop Kwofie
  • African Youth to Combat New Forms of Slavery and Colonialisation
  • St. Michael Co-Cathedral Catholic Church, Keta, Celebrates her 125 Anniversary
  • Disability is not inability
  • African Youth to Combat New Forms of Slavery and Colonialisation
  • Catholics march against culture of death
  • PRO-LIFE CONFERENCE IN GHANA
  • We’ve no factory to make Priests
  • Teshie Church named after Ss. Anne and Joachim
  • Support deprived Catholic communities
  • SECAM launches continental Year of Reconciliation
  • HO DIOCESE LAUNCHES PHASE II OF SKILLS ENHANCEMENT FOR CORE SUBJECT TEACHERS AND GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION SENSITIZATION PROGRAMMES IN HO.
  • Church does not support Death Penalty - Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Afriyie
JULY, 2015
  • ‘Speak with one voice’
  • Should couples fight?
  • Pope’s Encyclical on Climate 
  • Indiscipline in society
  • Indigenize Catholic Marriages – Dr. Boakye
  • Ghana needs more Dermatologists
  • Enter into politics Women urged
  • Don’t blame disasters on witches
  • Decongesting our prisons
  • ‘Collaborate with Managers of Education Units’
  • ‘Church wants fearless Pastors’
  • Blessed Sacrament Church now Parish
  • Bishop Mante condemns religious violence
  • ‘Be considerate on Missionaries serving in Ghana’
  • "A father is a bishop" By Dr John Boakye
  • ‘Avail yourself for Church work’
  • Spiritan University begins Master’s programme in Theology
  • Spiritan Varsity hosts CPE programme
  • SECAM organises Workshop on HIV/AIDS Training Manual
  • COSRA SET FOR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL CONGRESS
  • Ghana needs more Dermatologists
  • Konongo-Mampong Diocese marks triple anniversary
JUNE, 2015
  • “Avoid division among Christians”
  • Catholic heads CHAG
  • Don’t destroy the Planet
  • ‘Don’t ignore Religious Bodies’
  • Anokye heads President of Caritas Africa
  • Consultative Meeting of African Bishops on the Family Opens in Accra
  •  Pope’s Encyclical on Climate
  • 21O STUDENTS BENEFIT IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF CORE SUBJECTS
  • Pope urges bishops in African nation to oppose violence toward women
  • 2015 World Mission Sunday Message
  • ‘Laity do not need co-pilots’
  • The Colours of the Ghana flag as designed by Theodosia Okoh
MAY, 2015
  • Mr. Akologo speaks @UN Session
  • Directives on the role of Knights in liturgical celebrations issued by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, 2013
  • GCBC, CCG calls for improved economy
  • CTK School launches 60th Anniversary
  • Five receive Papal Award
  • Bishop Afoakwah visits Agbenoxoe Grotto
  • Kumasi launches Pool Fund
  • Jasikan holds Pastoral Administration Workshop
  • Managing Hearing Impairment
  • National Employment Policy
  • Pope declares Holy Year of Mercy
  • Donkorkrom Vicariate honours Catechists
  • Castro to attend Papal Cuba Masses
APRIL, 2015
  • City of God’ launched
  • Show compassion to patients  
  • Be committed to Church activities
  • Support less privileged children    
  • Support Church address Justice, Peace Issues in Africa  
  • Participate in Divine Mercy Novena    
  • Chrism Masses celebrated in Ghana
  • Easter A Period Of Love    
  • A new dawn for Nigeria 
  • Let’s live together in peace       

MARCH, 2015
  • Evangelization should build civilization of love
  • Safety of Migrants
  • Zero tolerance for FGM
  • CWA CLIMAXES DIOCESAN CONGRESS
  • Pope to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass at prison 
  • Pope to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass at prison 
  • Pope announces Holy Year of Mercy
  • National Sacred Heart gets new Executives
  • Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference Reacts to Religious Practices in Mission Schools.  By Damian Avevor, Ghana
FEBRUARY, 2015
  • Nkanchina Lepers get support
  • NEW BOARD FOR OLAM SHS
  • Learn how to talk to one another – Pope Francis    
  • Beatification cause for Julius Nyerere
  • Holy See expresses gratitude to African Churches fighting Ebola
  • Bishop Atuahene Ordains three Deacons    
  • Centre of Hope delegation visits SNA
JANUARY 26, 2015
  • 2014 Best Workers of SNAM
  • Bishop Boi-Nai ordains Priest
  • Exploitation damages communion - Holy Father
  • Four Deacons Ordained for Accra
  • Parenthood is from God - Pope 
  • Pope to visit Africa in 2015
  • Reflect more on the family
  • The feast of the Baptism of the Lord
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE 49th WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

Pope Francis' Lenten Message for 2015
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY (CIBT)
 TO SETUP TECHONOLOGY CAMPUS


The Catholic Institute of Business and Technology (CIBT) in Accra is to setup a Technology Campus at Mepe in the Volta Region.
The new campus will run programmes initially in Nursing and Allied Health Science and would progressively add other faculties such as engineering, pharmacy and agriculture.
This was announced at the second Congregation of CIBT on 30th January 2015 at the School premises.
About 123 students graduated with BSc. Computer science, BSc. Public Administration, BSc. Business Administration and MBA Global Business and Sustainability with specialization in social entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee, Mr. S.N. Woode said the School was committed technology education.
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Priests urged to engage in pastoral reflection of the family


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The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, has urged Diocesan Priests as part of their pastoral ministry to engage in a more careful pastoral reflection on the Family to let the right understanding of it influence whatever decision they took regarding the family. (read more...)

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE ON RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN MISSION SCHOOLS ...(full story)
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PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHRISTIAN COUNCIL OF GHANA AND THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE...(full story)
NUNCIO MEETS PRESIDENT MAHAMA... (read full story)
Anokye is New President of Caritas Africa and Second Vice-President of CI...full story
Sermon delivered at the ordination Mass  by Most Rev. Peter Akwasi Sarpong..., 
Most Rev. John Yaw Afoakwah  ordained and installed as Bishop of Obuasi.(read full story)
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  • (BIHECO) Founders Day Celebration
  • Accra St. Theresa celebrates Feast
  • 2015 NUGDPA Congress for Takoradi
  • Be Service-Oriented – Archbishop Sarpong Urges Politicians
  • Bishop Atuahene blesses new School Block
  • Bishops meet Catholic MPs
  • SECAM Workshop Recommends Creation of SCC in Africa
  • A New Year Message To Ghanaians From
    Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu.
    
  • Pope to visit Africa in 2015
  • Prayer Service in honour for St. André 
  • Priests urged to engage in pastoral reflection of the family
  • Promotion of Clergy formation is my priority
  • SMAs celebrate 200th birthday of Founder
  • Wage war on 'terrorism of gossip

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Extraordinary Synod of Bishops... 
The "Relatio post disceptationem" (“report after the debate”) of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family delivered in the synod hall 13th October, 2014 by the General Rapporteur, Cardinal Péter Erdő.


The document remains only a working instrument and not decisions that have been made nor simply points of view. It  no way changes the doctrine of the Church on Marriage. The final document is expected at the end of the Synod. Notwithstanding it has received much comments in the media due to the section that states :

"Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community: are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities? Often they wish to encounter a Church that offers them a welcoming home. Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?" 
(Read the report)

Nuncio visits Wiawso, Yendi

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Jean-Marie Speich, recently visited the Wiawso and Yendi Dioceses to familiarize himself with their operations.
(Read on)
i. Opening address: Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference Plenary Session 2014
ii. Communique: End of Ghana Catholic  Bishops  Conference Plenary Session
iii. Do away with excesses that make marriage  difficult- Ghanaian Bishops
iv. Bishops of Ghana bemoan economic hardships
v. Ghanaian Bishops bemoan road accidents in  the Country
vi. Ghanaian Bishops urge  media not to portrait  marriage negatively

a visit by the Coordinator of CANAA, Catholic News Agency for Africa.

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The Coordinator for the Catholic News Agency for Africa (CANAA), Rev. Fr. Don Bosco Ochieng Onyalla, on Thursday, October 30, visited the Offices of the Standard Newspapers and Magazines (SNAM) Ltd., publishers of The Catholic Standard at Sowutuom to familiarize with the activities of  the Company.

Fr. Onyalla was invited to Ghana by SECAM to participate in its recent Standing Committee Meeting in Accra.

The visit to SNAM Offices also to brief The Catholic Standard staff about the operations of CANAA, a Project of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).

He said CANAA has its Offices in Kenya with Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, Treasurer of SECAM as its Board Chairman.

Mr. Isaac Fritz Andoh, Managing Editor of The Catholic Standard supported by Mr. Steve Kakrabah-Quarshie, Assistant Editor and Mr. Damian Avevor, News Editor, briefed Fr. Onyalla on the production of the Paper and later took him round the Offices of SNAM.

Regional SMA Headquarters commissioned

A new Regional Headquarters for the Society of African Missions (SMA) was recently commissioned at a ceremony at Oshuman near Amomoley in Accra.

The commissioning was performed by Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Anthonio Porcellato, SMA Vicar General, Nii Adotei Oklopong II, representative of Nii Oshu IV of Oshuman and Very Rev. Fr. James Owusu-Yeboah, SMA Regional Superior, Ghana.

Most Rev. Jean Marie Speich, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, who was present at the ceremony, said as the Society sought to promote the good of humanity through education, healthcare and other social services, they should not forget their first task which is evangelization.

“Today, we are confronted with a more difficult task of new evangelization. The old idols have disappeared but replaced by stronger ones. We are in a society in which money has become central and taken the place of everything”, he said.

He said since the SMAs had been sent as envoys to Ghana to care for the souls of the people, they should also seek the promotion of human dignity.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle commended the SMA Missionaries who started the Church in Ghana in the face of challenges and diseases and also introduced the Devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus into the country.

He expressed happiness to have the SMA Headquarters in the Archdiocese and paid glowing tributes to founders and Lay Missionaries who had made the Church what it is today.

He prayed for the protection for all who would live in the residence and for the SMA Priests to continue to be faithful servants to God and their neighbours.

The Chief Shepherd of Accra, in a homily at a Mass which preceded the ceremony, urged Priests, Religious and lay Leaders in the Church to smell like the sheep they lead.

“To smell like the sheep, a Pastor must be found in the midst of the faithful”, he stressed, adding that they should strive to always be with the people, lead, guide and protect them.

Recounting what Pope Francis discussed with the Bishops on their recent Ad Limina visit to Rome, he said a Priest must have three smells – smell of the Oil of Consecration, smell of the sheep and fragrance of God.

Saying that the Oil of Consecration on the Priest must not dry out, the Archbishop said it must be felt in their personal commitment and dedication to their call and Vocation.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle urged Priests to be men of prayer and like Moses, run a marathon between God and the people “to know what God wants to bring to the people and what the people want to send to God”.

Saying that the Bishops were overwhelmed be the simplicity of the Pope, he urged Catholics to emulate him and follow the new revolution he was bringing to the Church that is to place the poor and needy at the centre of the Church.

He prayed that by the Holy Spirit and through the intercession of mother Mary, Priests would have a spiritual revolution in their own lives so that together with Pope Francis, they would care for the poor and the needy.

He also called on the lay faithful to pray for the Pope, their Bishops and Priests to know Jesus more and to lead them on the right path but not criticize them unduly.

Fr. Owusu-Yeboah said the relocation of the Regional Headquarter which has been in Winneba in the Cape Coast Archdiocese since 1960 was to get closer to many public and private institutions to aid the Regional administration.

He said the facility would also host the activities of the Friends of SMA, SMAs from Missions, serve as a home for sick and aged SMA Priests and provide accommodation for Priests, Religious and Lay faithful who visit the Archdiocese for religious and private purposes.

Fr. Owusu said Priests, Religious Groups and Societies who wish to have quiet time, retreats, meetings and Conferences could also access the facility.

He thanked all who contributed to make the project a success.

The Magnificent edifice was built in four years and consist of Conference Rooms, Business Centre, bedrooms and a Chapel.

Present were over 40 Priests and Religious as well as lay faithful.

The programme was chaired by the Chief Director at the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, Professor Bruce Banoe-Yakubu, who urged all to help the Congregation expand its territories.

*Archbishop Palmer-Buckle cutting the sod to inaugurate the building.

By Doreen Darko and Anthony Agbovi.

 

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Nuncio visits Wiawso, Yendi

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Jean-Marie Speich, recently visited the Wiawso and Yendi Dioceses to familiarize himself with their operations.

He was welcomed to Wiawso by Most Rev. Joseph Francis Kweku Essien, Bishop of the Diocese after which Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Quaicoe, the Bishop’s Secretary briefed him on the history of the Diocese.

The Secretary among other things said the Diocese was created in 1999 and inaugurated on March 25, 2000 with Most Rev. Essien as its first Bishop.

He said the Diocese comprised twenty-two Parishes and a Rectorate with 39 Priests and seven Religious.

After the briefing, the Nuncio led by Bishop Essien and some Priests visited the new Cathedral Site, the Pastoral Centre and the St. Joseph Senior High School.

The Nuncio later celebrated Mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral with about 400 faithful of the Diocese during which he encouraged them to be proud of their Catholic faith and also be courageous in bearing witness to it just as St. Gregory the Great did.

He advised the faithful to pray for their Bishop and Priests.

The Nuncio was accompanied by Most Rev. Peter Atuahene, Bishop of Goaso.

At Yendi, the Nuncio was received by Most Rev. Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, SVD, Bishop of the Diocese, who briefed him on its operations, the personnel strength, ethnic groups, traditional beliefs and some challenges of the Diocese.

The Nuncio visited the Bishop’s residence, the Palace of the Regent of Dagbon, Kampampuya Naa, the Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, the Good Shepherd Bible Centre and Rectorate and the Gnani Witch Camp, all in the Diocese.

He encouraged the faithful of the Diocese to profess their faith with pride and pledged his commitment to partner Government in the areas of women empowerment, poverty alleviation, health care and education to develop the Diocese.

Priests, Religious and lay faithful who welcomed the Nuncio, thanked him for the visit and prayed that his mission would be fruitful and fulfilling.

Archbishop Speich was later decorated with the traditional smock.

*The Nuncio displaying his traditional outfit

*The Nuncio (middle) with Bishops Essien (left) and Atuahene (right)

From Frs. Sampson Abdulai and Samuel Nkuah-Boateng



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Church suffers through ill-suited Priests-Pope


(CNS/Paul Haring)


Many of the problems in the Church today come from accepting men who are unsuitable for the Priesthood, Pope Francis told the Congregation for Clergy recently.

The Vocations crisis and lack of Priests have meant that "we Bishops are tempted to take in, without discernment, the young men who present themselves. This is bad for the church," he told those who took part in the Congregation's Plenary Assembly Meeting at the Vatican.

"We have to think of the good of the people of God," which means taking the time to screen and "study" those seeking a vocation, he said.


"Examine closely whether he belongs to the Lord, if that man is healthy, is balanced, if that man is capable of giving life, of evangelizing, if he is capable of forming a family and turning that down in order to follow Jesus," he said in off-the-cuff remarks.

"Today we have many problems, and in many Dioceses, because of this error made by some Bishops to take those who come – sometimes thrown out of other Seminaries or Religious Institutes – because they need Priests."

“The Church does need Priests and there is a lack of vocations, but the solution cannot come at the expense of the faithful,” he said.

Proper Formation of candidates and Priests is like polishing "a diamond in the rough" so that "they shine in the midst of the people of God," he said in his prepared written remarks.

As such, proper Formation is an ongoing task that takes time, care, patience and respect for the conscience of the person, he said.

But most of all, Formation is a relationship that demands consistency and discipleship; it is not just about passing on "theological or spiritual notions."

"Jesus didn't say to those whom he called, 'Come, I will explain it to you,' or 'Follow me, I will instruct you.'"


Jesus formed His Disciples through his invitation of, "'Come, follow me. Do as I do.' And this is the method that the Church wants to adopt for her Ministers today as well," he said.

Priests are called to grow in their awareness that they are "shepherds invited to be in the midst of their flock, to make the Lord present through the Eucharist and to impart His mercy,” the Pope said.

“It is about 'being' Priests, not limiting themselves to ‘doing’” what a Priest does, while also being free from any "spiritual worldliness," he said.

The Pope said it is wonderful to see Priests who are full of joy and radiate an inner peace even during moments of hard work or struggle and pain. But none of that comes "without prayer from the heart and in dialogue with the Lord, who is, if you will, the heart of Priestly Life," he said. – CNS 


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