The Church can not be part of the problem, but a solution door

Maputo (Mozambique) (IACA):Pope Francis today dedicated a moving speech to the bishops, priests, religious, consecrated men, seminarians and catechists of Mozambique, in the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Maputo. Francisco warned that the church can not be part of the problem of skills, contempt and division of each other, but a solution door, a space where respect, exchange and dialogue are possible.

Pope Francis today dedicated a moving speech to the bishops, priests, religious, consecrated men, seminarians and catechists of Mozambique, in the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Maputo.

Francisco warned that the church can not be part of the problem of skills, contempt and division of each other, but a solution door, a space where respect, exchange and dialogue are possible.

After hearing a series of deep testimonies of faith from the participants, the Holy Father thanked all the participants for their efforts to make this meeting possible.

Together, we want to renew the response to the call that once burned our hearts and that the Blessed Mother Church helped us discern and confirm with the mission. Thank you for your testimonials, which speak of the difficult hours and serious challenges you face, recognizing the limitations and weaknesses; but also to admire them for the mercy of God, Francis said and reproduces the VaticanNews portal.

In his speech in Portuguese, with some spontaneous additions in Spanish, the pope emphasized that we like it or not, we are called to face the reality as it is. Times are changing and it is necessary to recognize that we often do not know how to insert ourselves into new scenarios.

Instead of professing a Good News, what we are announcing is a gray that does not attract or enlighten anyone's heart, says Francisco, inviting everyone to draw inspiration from the model of the Virgin Mary, follow the example of his generosity and his rush to the time It is time to answer with a god without looking back, because it is precisely this affirmative answer which then allowed the formation of this great family which is the universal Church .

Focus on the current challenges of the Church and the question asked by the badembly to the pope, on what to do with the crisis of priestly identity and on how to combat. The Holy Father gave a series of development and cultural guidelines applicable to all: bishops, religious, seminarians, consecrated persons and catechists.

Faced with the crisis of priestly identity, it may be necessary to leave the important and solemn places; we must return to the places where we were called, where it was obvious that initiative and power were from God, said Francisco adding that the priest is the poorest of men if Jesus does not enrich him not from his poverty, the most useless servant if Jesus does not call him friend, the stupidest of men if Jesus does not patiently instruct him as Peter, the most unarmed of Christians if the Good Shepherd does not do not strengthen in the middle of the flock.

Likewise, the Holy Father urges those present not to run after what brings personal benefits.

Our fatigue must be more related to our capacity for compbadion, these are tasks in which our hearts are moved and moved. We rejoice with the newlyweds who marry, paddle with the baby that they bring to baptize; we accompany young people preparing for marriage and families; we cry with the one who receives the anointing on the hospital bed, we cry with those who bury a loved one.

To take and eat – says the pope – is the word constantly whispered by the priest of Jesus when he frequents his faithful: Take and eat, drink and drink.

On the other hand, the pontiff encouraged them to renew the call, which often goes to check if our fatigue and our eagerness have to do with a certain spiritual mundaneity.

Renewing the call, it is choosing, saying and getting tired of what is fruitful in the eyes of God, who makes present, incarnate, his Son Jesus, pointed out Francisco, wishing that in this healthy tiredness finds the source of their identity and happiness, pay particular attention to the example they give to young people.

The challenge of inculturation

And as for the distrust of the inculturation of the Gospel posited by a Mozambican catechist, the Pope said that particular Churches should actively encourage, at least in any way, the forms of inculturation.

In short, what must be sought is that the preaching of the Gospel, expressed with the categories of the culture in which it is announced, provokes a new synthesis with this culture. Although these processes are always slow, fear sometimes paralyzes us too much. If we let the doubts and fears stifle any audacity, it is possible that, instead of being creative, we simply stay comfortable and do not cause any progress and, in this case, we would not participate to historical processes with our cooperation, but simply to the spectators of a sterile stagnation of the Church.

Build the encounter culture

As a conclusion and after answering questions from all those who participated in this meeting in Maputo Cathedral, the Holy Father badured that the Church could not be part of the problem of skills, contempt and divisions of each other, but solution door, space if possible respect, exchange and dialogue.

It is a slow and arduous job that requires you to want to integrate and learn to do it. This is the necessary condition for the construction of a peaceful people, justice and fraternity, he concluded. +