Vatican, Feb. 20, 2007 (CWNews.com) - During a question-and-answer session with seminarians in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) said that priests should be mindful of “not isolating ourselves, not believing we can progress alone,” and rely confidently on God’s grace for their ministry.The Holy Father met on February 17 with students at the major pontifical seminary in Rome, celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Trust, the institution’s patron.
A transcript of the Pope’s responses to questions from the seminarians was released by the Vatican press office on February 20.
Responding to a question about how weak and sinful men can serve as God’s ministers, the Pontiff said: “It is good to recognize one’s own weakness, because thus we know that we have need of the Lord’s grace.” He encouraged the seminarians always to seek closer union with God, making frequent use of the sacrament of Penance.
Answering another question about the problem of corruption within the Church, the Pontiff said that the problem has always existed, and always will exist, since fallen humans lead the Church. Accepting that reality, he said, one should strive “not to see sin only in others-- in institutions and in high office-- but also in ourselves,” fostering the virtue of humility. That is particularly true for Church leaders, he said, because “ecclesial standing does not count before the Lord, what counts is to remain in His love."
The Pope told the students to “remain attentive to the other voices of the Lord,” recognizing that God speaks to them through “other people, through friends, through our parents.” Most of all, he added, God speaks through the Scriptures, which should be read “not as the word of a man or a document from the past” but as the living Word of God with a powerful message for every reader at every time.
As they embark on their lives as ordained ministers, the Pope said, the young men should “be with the Lord in the Eucharist every day-- not as a professional obligation but as a true interior duty.”
He also encouraged them to be attentive in praying the Liturgy of the Hours, thus maintaining their regular contact with the Scriptures and their communion with other priests throughout the world.
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