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Nuncio exhorts priests to be honest

Priests should 'sacrifice themselves totally for others', accepting chastity and celibacy
Nuncio exhorts priests to be honest
Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio
Published: February 24, 2011 10:46 AM GMT
Updated: February 24, 2011 10:51 AM GMT

Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio has said that seminary formation should promote authentic human development, including a right view of sexuality. “Healthy sexual development together with academic and spiritual growth in the seminary will give us mature priests,” the archbishop said. He was speaking at a national council on psycho-sexual integration in New Delhi. Eighty two priests, one from each diocese of India and three bishops are taking part in the February 23-25 program. The nuncio pointed out that the program aims to have committed and integrated priests who are comfortable with themselves and their celibate life. “The Church has high expectations and you are exhorted to be generous in your apostolate,” he added. The archbishop regretted the recent sex abuse scandals by priests that have hit the Catholic Church. “Many faithful are upset with these events,” he said. Cautioning the priests in their relationship with others, the nuncio said a healthy relationship requires honesty, love and respect. “The priest from his seminary days should be honest with his reason for entering the priesthood,” he added. Emphasizing that priesthood is a vocation of love, he said the priest should sacrifice himself totally for others, accepting chastity and celibacy. The nuncio exhorted the priests to confide to their bishops and to priest friends about the problems they face. “It would be crucial for some priests to have the training and skills to be sufficiently competent to help priests in need,” he added. He said that a spiritual director is needed for the growth of spiritual life. IA13427.1642

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