Pope Francis emphasized to the plenary participants that “discrimination and accompaniment. Take especially newly formed communities, which are more at risk of self-referral” and discrimination, which “can only be done within the horizon of faith and prayer” than the oath of consecrated life, stressing that That the decisive criterion for distinction is the ability of a community, or institution, to “integrate into the life of God’s holy people for the good of all.”
Jackson Urban – Vatican City
“Consecrated life is born in the Church, grows and can bear fruit only in the Church, in the living communion of the faithful people of God,” the Pope said in his address on Saturday morning to the participants in the plenary session of the Synod of Institutes. From the Consecrated Life and Communities of the Apostolic Life, which were received in the Vatican.
In his thinking – guided by the words “distinction” and “accompaniment”, Francis emphasized some points, such as the maintenance of the lively attention of the founders, the service of vocation and formation, the abuse of power and authority, as well as the importance of cooperation with the bishops and their cooperation with the Holy See.
“So many cardinals in the pulpit, this looks almost concave,” the Pope joked, thanking him for the words addressed to him by the prefect, Cardinal João Paz Avez, as well as Secretary José Rodríguez Carballo and “all the members of the circuit are present and absent.” The Holy Father also expressed his gratitude for the work that a consecrated life does in the service of the Gospel, realizing that “it is not an easy task.” That is why he wanted to express his closeness “to all who believe in the future of the consecrated life. I am close to you.”
Then Francis recalled the spirit that moved Saint John Paul II when he called for the convening of a Synod of Bishops on this subject. On the one hand – he explained – there was an awareness of the working time, of innovative experiments, and not always of positive results. There was, and even more so today, the fact that the number of invitations in different parts of the world was declining.”
Deuteronomy memory
Despite this reality – he notes – “Hope prevailed and prevailed, based on the beauty of the gift that is the consecrated life:
This is crucial: to focus on God’s gift, on the reward of his calling, on the transforming power of his word and spirit. With this attitude, I encourage you and all who help consecrated men and women, in various institutes and in private churches, to look to the future with confidence, beginning with the “deuteronomic” memory.
He explained why this “Deuteronomy memory” was so important:
That message from Deuteronomy: “Remember Israel, remember.” That memory is from history, history itself, and the memory of the institute itself; That memory that is rooted memory. This makes us grow. When we lose our memory, that memory of the miracles that God has done in the church, in our institution, in my life – everyone can say -, we lose strength and cannot give life. That’s why I say “Deuteronomic” memory.
Highlight and follow
Distinction and Accompaniment: For Francis, the service of a consecrated life can be summed up in these two words:
Know the multiplicity of situations you face daily. Often complex situations, which need to be studied in depth, in their history, in dialogue with heads of institutes and with patrons. It is an act of earnest and patient discernment, which can only be done in the horizon of faith and prayer. Acumen and follow up. Accompanying particularly newly formed communities, which are also more at risk of self-referral.
In this regard – the Holy Father noted – “there is a fundamental criterion of distinction: the ability of a group, or institution, to ‘integrate into the life of God’s holy people for the good of all’, defined in gospel of joy“This criterion is crucial to the distinction.”
“Consecrated life is born in the Church, grows and can bear fruit only in the Church, in the living communion of the faithful people of God. That is why “believers have the right to be warned by pastors of the authenticity of the gifts and the reliability of those who present themselves as founders.‘, written as no Motu proprio Authentic and attractiveNovember 1, 2020.
Aspects that receive constant attention
Moreover, in the act of discrimination and monitoring, some attention is needed to always survive:
Attention to the founders who sometimes tend to be self-referential, to feel that they are the only benefactors or exponents of the gift, as if they were above the Church. Attention to the Ministry of the profession and the formation submitted to the candidates. Attention to and how the service of authority is exercised, i.e. with regard to the separation between internal and external jurisdiction – a subject that worries me greatly – the duration of delegations and the accumulation of powers. And attention to the abuse of power and authority.
“On this last subject – he added – I had in my hands a book recently published by Salvatore Sernuzio, on the problem of abuse, but not blatant abuse; on daily transgressions that harm the power of the profession.”
Cooperation with the bishops
As for discrimination in light of approval of new institutions, new forms of consecrated life or new societies – the Pope added – “I invite you to develop cooperation with the bishops of the diocese”:
I urge priests not to be afraid and to accept your accompaniment fully. It is the priest’s responsibility to accompany you. Do not refuse this service. This cooperation, this synergy between the diocese and the bishops also makes it possible – as the council demands – to avoid the emergence of institutes deprived of sufficient motivation or sufficient activity, perhaps in good faith, but something which is lacking. Your service is invaluable in striving to provide valid standards of distinction for Shepherds and God’s people.
Mutual listening between the offices of the Holy See and the pastors, as well as the superiors general – continued Francis – is an essential aspect of the synodal journey that we have begun:
But, in a broader and more fundamental sense, I would say that consecrated men and women are called to make an important contribution to this process: a contribution that comes – or ought to come – from familiarity with the practice of fraternity and participation, both in community life and in apostolic commitment.
In closing, Pope Francis thanked once again for the daily service that “moves forward through distinction and accompaniment,” and offered his blessing to all, accompanied by best wishes for a good Advent and Merry Christmas!
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