A priest’s first duty…

The first duty of the priest or religious is to pray regularly for the people entrusted to their care.

These were the words of the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in his address to the priests, religious sisters and brothers, and seminarians of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands on the afternoon of Friday 19th April, 2018, at the St Joseph’s Church in Boroko, Port Moresby.

“Prayer arises from and strengthens our friendship with Jesus; it is the place where ‘heart speaks to heart’,” said Cardinal Parolin as he addressed the over two hundred religious that attended the Eucharistic celebration and the conference thereafter.

He emphasized on prayer, fidelity and joy and recalled the dedication of the early missionaries and the death of hundreds of people associated with the Church during the War, especially Bl. Peter To Rot.  

Encouraging his listeners to follow these examples, the Cardinal pointed out some of those things that would test their fidelity.   

The wantok system (nepotism), for instance, while very beautiful in the way it cares for those in need, could easily turn religious brothers or sisters away from the people they are meant to serve.   

Fidelity the mission, and fidelity to service, will prevent priests and religious from staying in their comfort zones and ignoring the people on the margins.

Joy was the third and final topic of his talk where he noted that both Pope Francis' first encyclical - Evangelii Gaudium - The joy of the Gospel - and his most recent - Gaudete et Exsultate - Be glad and exult - have joy as a theme. “There is only one sadness in the world - not to be holy,” said the Cardinal as he quoted a French author.

After his conference, a long question and answer session followed and Cardinal Parolin encouraged the congregation not to lose heart in a rapidly changing world. 

“There is no time unsuitable for living out one's baptismal calling. There is no time when it is not good to be a religious sister or brother,” said the Cardinal.   

He also spoke of Pope Francis' new style of papacy and how this is being taken up by those who work in the Vatican.   

Finally, he encouraged priests and religious to take part in the work of reconciliation and bringing peace.

The event closed with a word of thanks from Sr Relida Gumur OLSH. She was very appreciative that he had travelled such a long way to display his interest as well as the interest of Pope Francis in this remote part of the world and the Church here.

(Cardinal Parolin speaks to the religious)

 

Author: 
Press release