Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples Prefect Cardinal Ivan Dias and Secretary Archbishop Robert Sarah have published a letter to the Catholic bishops and priests of mainland China. “Inspired by celebrations during the Year for Priests, recently concluded, I send to you cordial and brotherly greetings and a word of encouragement for your arduous pastoral duties as shepherds of the flock entrusted to you by the Lord in your noble nation”, the letter marking the end of the Year for Priests and published by Fides reads.
“Precisely because the priest is ‘Alter Christus’ - indeed, ‘Ipse Christus’ - he must be a Man of God and a Man for others. … Firstly, a Man of God: that is, a man who leads men and women to God and carries God to men and women.”
The text goes on to refer to “the important role of a bishop or priest as an operator of unity within the Church”, noting how “this task has a twofold dimension” entailing “communion with the Pope, the ‘rock’ upon which Jesus chose to build His Church, and union with all the members of the Church.
“Firstly: communion with the Holy Father. We are all too aware of how some of you suffered in the recent past because of loyalty to the Holy See. We pay homage to each and all. … The exemplary and courageous loyalty towards the See of Peter demonstrated by Catholics in China, is a precious gift of the Lord.
“The other dimension of unity among Christians is union among individual members of the ecclesial community. This important challenge you are already tackling, as you seek to strengthen unity within the Church herself”.
Quoting from Pope Benedict’s 29 June homily the letter notes how the Church “is subjected to the greatest danger by that which pollutes the faith and Christian life of her members and communities, corroding the integrity of the Mystical Body, weakening her capacity for prophecy and witness, and marring the beauty of her face”.
“Let us praise the Lord for your efforts, accomplished and ongoing, for unity within the Church, in faithful response to the indications given by the Holy Father in the Letter he addressed to you on 27 May 2007, and for the results already obtained,” the letter concludes.
SIC: CTHAS