WHAT CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD MEANS
The Catholic Priesthood - A Challenge of the Modern World - Final Statement - The FABC Office of Clergy organized a seminar for the priests of Asia from November 17-22, 2008 at the Assumption University (Suvarnabhumi Campus), Bangkok, Thailand, to discuss "Priestly Life as a Challenge of the Modern Life..."
Among the resource persons and participants were 1 Archbishop, 4 Bishops, and 78 priests from ten countries in Asia (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam). The objectives of the seminar were:
1. To rediscover priestly identity rooted in the concept of Communion in the Asian Context.
2. To lead the priests to a deeper awareness of the Divine (God-Experience) in their priestly life and ministry.
3. To help priests to re-capture the joy of priesthood by confronting the challenges of the modern world.
The seminar was inaugurated with the Eucharist presided over by Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus Cavite, Philippines. On behalf of Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio of Thailand, his First Counsellor Msgr. Marek Zalewski conveyed the Holy Father's sentiments of closeness and solidarity with the participants as they deliberated on a very important topic relevant to the life of the Church in Asia.
The final statement of the participants underlines the need for a "life of profound priestly spirituality." The priesthood is to be lived as a celebration of life. In a situation of "tremendous difficulties and tensions," the seminar recommends, beside others, a holistic formation in seminaries, regular gatherings of clergy, regular prayer, liturgical life and spiritual direction for priests today. There should also be "a more open, intimate and personal relationship between bishop and priests" which should also be reflected in a structure of dialogue at different levels and regular on-going and systematic programs of human and spiritual formation for priests at different stages of their lives."
FINAL STATEMENT -
WE REMEMBER - We remember that we priests accept that the ministerial priesthood from apostolic times is a dynamic faith reality in the Church, which of its very nature is Communion. This priesthood is God's gift to nourish the ecclesial communion through the exercise of the Priestly, the Prophetic and the Kingly offices. Such a call demands a co-operation with the Holy Spirit to live a life of profound priestly spirituality. This spirituality is one that has been nurtured over the years of formation from the priest's unique God-experience. Hence, rooted in communion with the Blessed Trinity, the presbyterium celebrates a communion of priests with the Bishops and Priests among themselves, especially through fraternities. Similarly, rooted in communion with the Trinity, a priest becomes a builder of communities among the People of God and all peoples.
WE CELEBRATE - We celebrate our priesthood for it is essentially a celebration of life. The dynamics of the seminar concretized this celebration through communal prayer, the Eucharist, the Divine Office and the many shared fellowships. The human aspect of the priesthood was also celebrated by a humble acknowledgement of our shortcomings, limitations, struggles and failures. We received much light in the areas of psycho-sexual and psycho-spiritual maturity. Thus, developing a healthy relationship with all sectors of society, we priests will grow into mature and wholesome persons.
WE BELIEVE - We believe and accept the words of Jesus, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit." (Jn. 15:16) Our vocation is then a gift from the Lord to whom we respond as his disciples. To us he has entrusted the great mystery of salvation and to be the stewards and dispensers of the mysteries and graces of God. (PO # 22). However, under the impact of a materialistic, hedonistic and consumerist culture of life, the priests of today are undergoing tremendous difficulties and tensions. Coupled with these are the ever growing complexities of the pastoral ministry which can create personal problems and conflicts in relationships.
In the light of this situation, here are some recommendations towards a more mature life and fruitful ministry:
1. The seminary formation must be holistic. While sufficient emphasis is given to intellectual formation, much more attention needs to be given to the human and spiritual formation especially in regard to psycho-sexual and psycho-spiritual development. To this effect it is strongly recommended that some formators be trained to care for the spiritual and human formation of the seminarians.
2. To foster communion among the clergy regular participation at gatherings in the diocese are to be encouraged. Communion is further promoted by the formation of fraternities and associations.
3. For growth in spiritual life, priests must be encouraged to deepen and nurture their God-experience through regular prayer, meaningful liturgy, reconciliation and spiritual direction.
4. There should be more open, intimate and personal relationship between bishops and priests, so that a bishop is looked upon, not so much as an authoritative figure but more as a father, brother and friend.
5. There is a felt need for a structure for dialogue between the bishops and priests at the diocesan, regional and national levels, to ensure transparency, accountability and a sense of belonging.
6. There should be joint meetings among all those involved in the different stages of formation of priests (selection of candidates, formation in seminary, on going formation). Such a collaboration and networking for the implementation of action plans will ensure continuity.
7. There should be a vision-mission statement formulated by the bishop together with his clergy, religious and laity to set the direction of the diocese with proper mechanisms for ensuring their implementation.
8. It is accepted and highly recommended that there be regular on-going and systematic programs of human and spiritual formation for priests at different stages of their lives.
CONCLUSION - May Mary the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of priests pray for us. In Jesus the High Priest, every priest is precious in her eyes and dear to her heart. Having lived a life of discipleship, she knows our needs and prays for us. In our devotion to her, may we experience her presence in our lives and imitate her love and fidelity to Jesus, our High Priest.
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Courtsy: http://www.fabc.org/
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