The Pope defended celibacy during a meeting with the clergy of the Democratic Republic of Congo. «How beautiful it is to be luminous signs of total availability to the Kingdom of God, living celibacy,» he said in response to the voices within the Church that urge a review of the celibacy of priests and the ordination of married men.
The Pope also said that the priesthood is «sterile» if it does not serve the people in his last speech in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he arrived on Tuesday on his first international trip this year and the fifth to the African continent.
«If we live to ‘serve the people’ instead of ‘serving’ the people, the priesthood and consecrated life become sterile,» he said in his last public appointment of the first stage of his 40th apostolic journey that tomorrow will take him to South Sudan where he will bring a message of reconciliation.
After his meeting with about 65,000 young people whom he asked to have the courage to say «yes to honesty» and «no to corruption», Francis met with the clergy of the country and exclaimed that the ministry is not «a job to earn money or have a position».
In his address to priests, religious and seminarians, he asked them not to be «officials of the sacred or professionals distant from the people». With regard to formation, he pointed out that this «is not optional» and that «it must always continue, all our lives». In the same way, he also demanded that evangelization should not only be by word of mouth but also through witness.
«To be good priests, deacons and consecrated persons, words and intentions are not enough; what really counts is life itself,» he proclaimed.
Francis, who travels in a wheelchair because of knee pains, met earlier with the Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, at the Apostolic Nunciature, the «embassy» of the Holy See in the country. As is customary on his trips, Francis will conclude this third day of his visit with a private meeting with members of the Society of Jesus.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)